MANILA – ZUS Coffee finally barged into the win column in dramatic fashion, clawing back from a set down to stun Akari, 16-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 15-12, and secure its first victory in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Thursday night at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
The Thunderbelles showed poise in crunch time, erasing a third-set setback before edging the Power Chargers in a tense fourth frame and riding that momentum into the deciding set to improve to a 1-2 win-loss record.
Chinnie Arroyo spearheaded the breakthrough with 18 points, while Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga delivered 16 markers and steady veteran presence. Riza Nogales chipped in 10 points as ZUS Coffee leaned on balanced scoring to weather Akari’s resistance.
After conceding the opening set, the Thunderbelles regrouped with a dominant second-set response. Akari, however, reclaimed control in the third before ZUS Coffee dug deep in the fourth, eking out a 25-23 escape to force a fifth set.
In the decider, crucial plays from Arroyo, Gonzaga, Thea Gagate, and Ilongga Fiola Ceballos sealed the win as the Thunderbelles denied Akari’s late push.
Ivy Lacsina poured in 24 points for the Power Chargers, while Mereophe Sharma and Chenie Tagaod finished with 14 and 10 markers, respectively. Akari remained winless after two matches.
In the earlier match, PLDT High Speed Hitters stayed perfect with a 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17 victory over Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers.
Kim Kianna Dy delivered 20 points on 16 attacks and four blocks, along with 11 excellent digs, as PLDT improved to 2-0. Savannah Davison also registered a double-double with 20 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Mary Joy Baron added 11 points highlighted by five blocks.
Veteran setter Kim Fajardo orchestrated the offense with 25 excellent sets, and Kath Arado anchored the floor defense with 18 excellent digs.
Mhicaela Belen, the top overall pick in the recent PVL Rookie Draft, exploded for 28 points, while Ma. Shaya Adorador contributed 13 as the Solar Spikers slipped to a 1-2 record./PN
