MANILA – ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles moved quickly to bolster their roster for the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, headlined by the signing of veteran outside hitter Rachel Anne Daquis.
The former Farm Fresh star officially joined ZUS Coffee on Monday after becoming a free agent at the end of last season, giving the Thunderbelles a proven scorer and one of the league’s most recognizable veterans as they look to build on their breakthrough campaign in the previous conference.
ZUS Coffee also announced the additions of Cess Robles, Renee Peñafiel, Karen Verdeflor and seasoned setter Chie Saet, completing a five-player recruitment drive aimed at strengthening multiple positions.
“Let’s make it official! Welcome to the ZUS Coffee family,” the club said in a Facebook post.
Daquis is expected to play a key role in the Thunderbelles’ push in the all-Filipino conference after seeing limited court time last season.
She will also be reunited with close friend Jovelyn Gonzaga, providing ZUS Coffee with a veteran tandem that brings both experience and leadership to the locker room.
Robles, one of Chery Tiggo’s leading scorers, is projected to be a major offensive option for ZUS Coffee, while Peñafiel and Verdeflor add depth and versatility to the wing and libero spots under head coach Jerry Yee.
Saet, a multi-time champion setter, further boosts the team’s stability and floor leadership.
The new recruits join a core that already includes Cloanne Mondonedo, Thea Gagate, AC Miner, Alyssa Eroa, Riza Nogales, Chinnie Arroyo and Gonzaga, giving ZUS Coffee a deeper and more balanced lineup as it prepares for the upcoming PVL All-Filipino Conference./PN
