ZUS Coffee eyes solo PVL On Tour lead

Games Saturday, July 11

Batangas City

4 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Farm Fresh

6:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs ZUS Coffee

ZUS Coffee will try to claim the Premier Volleyball League On Tour’s first solo lead when it faces Choco Mucho at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh will open the doubleheader at 4 p.m. as both teams make their tournament debuts.

The matches mark the second stop of the six-week, province-hopping preseason competition organized by Sports Vision after the opening games in Ilagan City, Isabela.

ZUS Coffee enters the weekend with momentum after defeating Akari in four sets, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, during Wednesday’s opening program.

A second victory would leave the Thunderbelles as the tournament’s only unbeaten team and strengthen their early position in the standings.

The strong start also offers ZUS Coffee a chance to move beyond a disappointing All-Filipino Conference campaign disrupted by injuries to key players.

The Thunderbelles showed improved chemistry, balanced scoring, and renewed confidence under coach Jerry Yee in their victory over the Chargers.

Newcomer Zam Nolasco and returning middle blocker AC Miner led ZUS Coffee with 15 points each.

Jolina dela Cruz added 12 points, while veteran Rachel Anne Daquis contributed 11 points and provided stability and leadership.

Nolasco’s productive debut reflected her familiarity with Yee’s system after playing for him at the College of St. Benilde.

“Same lang din po kung ano yung routine namin sa training, yun lang din talaga. At siguro po, viewing and discussion within the team, mas sisipagan pa kasi may ibang players na bago sila,” Nolasco said, crediting the team’s preparation rather than her individual performance.

Miner’s return gave the Thunderbelles another attacking option in the middle after she missed the entire All-Filipino Conference because of injury.

Dela Cruz also made an immediate impact following her move from Farm Fresh, reinforcing why she was considered one of ZUS Coffee’s key acquisitions.

The Thunderbelles now face a tougher defensive test against a Choco Mucho team known for disciplined play and persistent floor coverage.

The Flying Titans will not be at full strength, with national team players Eya Laure and Dawn Catindig unavailable.

Star opposite hitter Sisi Rondina is also focused on her Asian Games preparation.

Dela Cruz said ZUS Coffee expects a difficult match regardless of Choco Mucho’s available lineup.

“Itong PVL On Tour talaga, syempre all-to-play siya, so super okay talaga sa lahat ng mga players. Parang hindi sila ’yung nandun lang talaga sa bench. Siguro ’yung preparation sa Choco Mucho, same lang din po kung ano ’yung preparation namin sa Akari. Syempre hindi naman madaling kalaban din ’yung Choco Mucho, super defensive sila,” she said.

The earlier match will give Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh their first opportunity to establish momentum in the preseason tournament.

Galeries Tower will unveil prized rookie Lams Lamina, the recent top draft selection expected to share playmaking responsibilities with Jules Coronel.

The Highrisers are coming off a quarterfinal appearance in the previous All-Filipino Conference.

Galeries Tower’s attack also includes Erika Deloria, Lycha Ebon, Jade Gentapa, Gayle Pascual, veteran Aiza Pontillas, and Alyssa Bertolano.

Bertolano adds flexibility because she can contribute as both an attacker and a libero.

At the net, Jean Asis, Ann Roselle Asis, and Roselle Baliton give the Highrisers a formidable middle-blocking rotation.

Farm Fresh will counter with a deep roster led by last season’s most valuable player, Trisha Tubu.

The Foxies also feature Rizza Cruz, Ara Galang, Roselyn Aquino, Riri Meneses, Ces Molina, Mylene Rezanova, Renee Peñafiel, and Royse Tubino.

For ZUS Coffee, Saturday’s match will show whether its opening-day performance can translate into sustained form against one of the league’s established contenders.

For Choco Mucho, the game provides an early test of its depth while several leading players are unavailable.

For Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh, the opener offers a first look at how their new and returning pieces fit before the next major PVL competition.

The Batangas stop also continues the league’s effort to bring top-level volleyball closer to provincial fans rather than limiting matches to Metro Manila venues.