ZUS Coffee pulled off an amazing upset against the strong Cignal HD team, winning a close and exciting match in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Play-In at Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday night. The game went all the way to five sets with ZUS Coffee taking the victory 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12.
This hard-earned win brings the ZUS Thunderbelles one step closer to grabbing the last spot in the quarterfinals making it a big moment in their journey through the tournament.
In a game that challenged both skill and mental strength, ZUS Thunderbelles relied on former HD Spiker Chai Troncoso to step up in the final moments. Playing against her old team, Troncoso showed she could handle the pressure when it mattered most.
She first smashed a strong crosscourt shot to bring ZUS to match point at 14-12. Then she fired another powerful hit that bounced off a Cignal defender and flew into the stands, securing the Thunderbelles' biggest win of the tournament.
She played a big role in helping ZUS Coffee make an exciting comeback, giving them a strong chance to reach the quarterfinals. The match lasted two hours and 28 minutes, just like Galeries Tower’s surprising win against Cignal in the qualifying round with a huge victory that had already earned the Highrisers a spot in the quarterfinals.
As the final point was scored, the Thunderbelles erupted into celebration, with Troncoso visibly emotional, overwhelmed by the significance of their victory. "This victory means so much to us. We just kept fighting and drawing strength from each other. We knew we had to win this to keep our chances alive," said Chinnie Arroyo. Her explosive 20-point performance earned her the Best Player of the Game honors.
Aside from Troncoso, who led all scorers with 21 points, Thea Gagate and Michelle Gamit made valuable contributions with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Veteran leader Jovelyn Gonzaga added eight points, offering not just scoring but also crucial leadership and composure in high-pressure moments.
On the other side, Cignal put up a valiant fight, spearheaded by Vanie Gandler’s 23-point explosion. Ishie Lalongisip and Jackie Acuña provided solid offensive support, scoring 16 and 12 points, respectively. Additionally, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Jovelyn Fernandez, and Gel Cayuna combined for 23 points in an all-out effort that ultimately fell short in the end.
Cignal’s loss dropped them to a 1-1 record, leaving them in a precarious position. Their hopes for a quarterfinal spot now hinge on Capital1 defeating ZUS Coffee. If that scenario unfolds, it will trigger a three-way tie, with the final slot being determined based on total points earned, set ratio, and set wins. This makes the upcoming Capital1-ZUS Coffee showdown even more crucial.
Despite showing signs of resurgence, especially in the fourth set where they erased an eight-point deficit to force a decider, Cignal faltered when it mattered most. They started the fifth set strong with a 6-3 lead, but under intense pressure, they struggled to close out the match.
The Thunderbelles’ journey in this conference has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Initially marred by a string of losses, their campaign has now transformed into a captivating story of resilience and redemption. From being on the brink of elimination to standing on the verge of a quarterfinal berth, ZUS Coffee has shown immense determination.
Surviving the pressure of the fifth set wasn’t easy. After losing their significant lead in the fourth set, ZUS Coffee found themselves trailing by three points in the final frame. Just when it seemed like Cignal had weathered their storm, the Thunderbelles mounted a spirited comeback. Gamit and Troncoso stepped up big, while a costly rotation error from Cignal shifted the momentum in ZUS Coffee’s favor, giving them a 7-6 advantage.
Despite multiple deadlocks, ZUS Coffee’s unrelenting attack, led by Arroyo and Troncoso, kept them ahead. Gagate and Gonzaga provided defensive muscle, ensuring that they maintained control. The Thunderbelles eventually secured a 12-9 lead and never looked back, closing the match with a statement finish.
When the game was on the line, the young Thunderbelles stayed calm and focused playing like an experienced team. Troncoso, in particular, stepped up and delivered back-to-back important hits to complete their comeback. Her ability to perform under pressure showed not only her own skill but also how well the team was working together and believing in each other.
When the final whistle blew, the Thunderbelles cheered for their hard-earned win, knowing they had taken a big step toward reaching the quarterfinals. Now, they must get ready for their next challenge beating the Capital1 Solar Spikers to secure their spot in the next round.
The PVL always brings exciting games and ZUS Coffee’s win over Cignal HD is a great example of how unpredictable and fun volleyball can be. For sports betting fans, matches like this make the game even more exciting.
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