MANILA, Philippines – Jovelyn Gonzaga soared above the net and produced the block that rocked the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) as the crowd held its breath. The Thunderbelles burst into cheers as her emphatic rejection of Myla Pablo sealed ZUS Coffee’s victory in Game 1 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference playoffs.

As her teammates hurried to greet her, Gonzaga fell to her knees, overcome by the moment. The seventh-seeded ZUS Coffee just pulled off one of the tournament’s most amazing upsets by defeating the No. 2 Petro Gazz in straight sets, 25-21, 25-23, and 27-25.

Jovelyn Gonzaga said she was astounded by ZUS Coffee’s level of togetherness during their incredible straight-sets triumph over Petro Gazz. She emphasized the team’s selfless play, stressing that each player played and moved with a team goal, not just for themselves but also for the coaching staff and the rest of the team.

The seasoned spiker gave their coaching staff credit for painstakingly creating the strategy that countered Petro Gazz’s formidable offensive. She recognized that their coaches had a critical part in deciding on everything from player rotations to tactical changes made during the game. Securing the surprising sweep was largely due to their ability to make the most of each player’s strengths and make strategic replacements.

Gonzaga was still stunned by their accomplishment and trying to comprehend how they had defeated a more experienced opponent in straight sets. She was incredibly proud of her team’s achievement and acknowledged that the win was made possible by their rigorous execution and mutual trust.

Now that they have momentum, Gonzaga and ZUS Coffee aim to continue playing at a high level for the rest of the series. Their sustained success in the Premier Volleyball League will largely depend on their capacity to function as a cohesive team and the strategic direction provided by their coaching staff.

The triumph was both decisive and shocking. Petro Gazz had been riding a strong 10-game winning streak prior to this shocking defeat. However, ZUS Coffee performed with unwavering attention and resolved this issue this evening.

Chai Troncoso spearheaded the attack, scoring 14 points to support ZUS Coffee’s offensive line. In a balanced scoring effort, Mich Gamit and Chinnie Arroyo each scored 10 points, while Gonzaga and Thea Gagate each added 11 points.

While Cloanne Mondoñedo skillfully led the team with 19 outstanding sets, Dolly Verzosa remained steadfast on defense with 11 receptions and eight digs.

Gonzaga emphasized the value of maintaining composure despite the triumph, knowing that the Angels would reassemble for Game 2.

ZUS Coffee knows that their work is far from done, even after their incredible triumph over Petro Gazz. Jovelyn Gonzaga underlined the significance of striking a balance between preparation and celebration, admitting that although the squad is entitled to enjoy their victory, they must keep their eyes on the greater task at hand. She emphasized that there would be no tolerance for complacency in Game Two, which would need considerably more work. The team needs to double their effort and stay completely open to the coaching staff’s tactics in order to win another game.

Gonzaga emphasized the value of self-control and diligence, stressing that they must outperform their performance from Game One in the upcoming game. She emphasized that the team as a whole must remain focused, pay close attention to their coaches, and carry out their game plan with even more accuracy.

Gonzaga’s words were mirrored by Michelle Gamit, who emphasized that although the victory was noteworthy, the fight was not yet over. She encouraged her teammates to celebrate the win while keeping in mind that they still had a lot of work to do. Gamit underlined the need to be much more ready for Game Two since Petro Gazz is anticipated to adapt and return stronger.

Now, the Thunderbelles concentrate on maintaining their momentum and honing their strategy.