MANILA – Jovelyn Gonzaga is headed to a new team on her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) return as she signed up with ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles ahead of the 2nd All-Filipino Conference.
The Thunderbelles recently announced the acquisition of the 32-year-old Guimaras-native volleybelle, who spend the past few PVL seasons with Cignal HD Spikers.
Gonzaga, who collected numerous accolades throughout her volleyball journey, is expected to be a major asset for the upstart Thunderbelles in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
“Actually, after my rest last conference kasi parang sobrang na-burn out ako, so nag-decide ako mag-rest. Actually, wala din sa isip ko mag-change ng team or mag-switch ng team,” Gonzaga said.
“Siguro out of nowhere may isang taong lumapit sakin na parang mag-message na, ‘Jov, bakit hindi mo subukan ganito ganyan.’ Parang out of nowhere, what if try ko? Subukan ko. We’ll see kung saan mararating or ano ang magiging takbo ng usapan,” she added.
At the Thunderbelles, Gonzaga is expected to team up with inaugural PVL Rookie Draft top-overall pick Thea Gagate, who is set to make her debut in the upcoming conference.
Gonzaga will also have the chance to guide a promising crop of young players, including setter Cloanne Mondonedo, outside hitter Gayle Pascual, and middle blocker Michelle Gamit.
“Siguro sa takbo ng usapan sobrang smooth and na-align sa gusto kong mangyari and nakikita ko rin ‘yung future sa team ngayon. Sa time na nag-rest ako for almost three months, ang dami kong realizations eh,” Gonzaga said.
“Parang may gusto tayong growth na mangyari sa self natin and ano pa bang next purpose na gusto mong gawin. Parang gusto mong maging excited ka, may bago kang gustong gawin,” she added.
The Thunderbelles came from a winless campaign in the 2024 PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference (then known as Strong Group Athletics) and in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference./PN
