MANILA — The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles showed grit and composure under pressure, clawing back from a two-set deficit to stun the Akari Power Chargers in a thrilling 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-7 reverse sweep in the PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
American spiker Anna DeBeer spearheaded the comeback with a 33-point explosion on 42-percent attack efficiency, earning Player of the Game honors. Her relentless offense turned the match around after ZUS Coffee found itself on the brink of defeat early on.
“It’s a total team effort,” said DeBeer. “It is just volleyball — yes, there’s pressure, but we opted to just enjoy it.”
With the win, the Thunderbelles closed the group stage with a perfect 5-0 record, keeping their spotless run intact heading into the semifinals.
Rookie Risa Nogales and Guimarasnon veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga added 11 points each, while Chinnie Arroyo chipped in 10. Setter Cloanne Mondonedo efficiently directed the offense with 27 excellent sets and scored four points of her own, while libero Alyssa Eroa anchored the backline with 20 excellent digs.
For Akari, Annie Mitchem topscored with 27 points, Christine Joy Soyud contributed 15, and both Gretchel Soltones and Celine Domingo had 11 apiece as the Power Chargers slid to a 3-2 card.
In the second game, Capital1 Solar Energy swept the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19, improving to 3-2 while dropping Choco Mucho to 2-3.
Aleksandra Bitsenko led the Solar Spikers with 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks, Mhicaela Belen added 11, and Rachel Austero finished with eight.
For Choco Mucho, Anyse Marlee Smith had 12 points and eight digs, Maddie Madayag chipped in 11 from six kill blocks and five attacks, and Isa Molde tallied 10./PN
