PASSI City – ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles stunned Creamline Cool Smashers, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 15-11, in the 2025 PVL on Tour match on Saturday night at the City of Passi Arena here.
Chinnie Pia Arroyo erupted for 23 points—22 on attacks plus one service ace—to spearhead the Thunderbelles to their second straight victory and a 2-1 record.
“Sobrang proud lalo na sa teammates ko. Hindi madali itong laban na ito pero kinaya namin, and kumapit kaming lahat hanggang sa dulo,” Arroyo said after the win.
“Kahit na nagka-cramps na ako pero lumaban pa din ako kasi nakikita ko na ‘yung mga teammates ko na lumalaban din,” she added. “Tinibayan talaga namin lalo na noong fifth set.”
Rookie Alexis Miner also made her presence felt with 16 markers, built on 14 attacks and two service aces, while Guimarasnon Jovelyn Gonzaga battled through a back injury to end up with 12 points for ZUS Coffee.
After yielding to the Cool Smashers in the fourth set, ZUS Coffee clawed back from an early deficit in the decider, surging ahead 8-5 behind key swings from Miner and Arroyo.
The lead stretched to 11-7 before Creamline closed to 9-11, but the Thunderbelles sealed the result on back-to-back attacks from Gonzaga and Ilongga Fiola Ceballos.
Jessica Galanza top-scored with 21 points, while Alyssa Valdez and Michele Gumabao added 16 and 14 markers, respectively, as the Cool Smashers absorbed their second consecutive defeat and slipped to 2-2.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo Crossovers (3-0) kept their unblemished slate while handing Cignal HD Spikers (3-1) their first defeat with a 25-13, 26-28, 25-15, 25-15 victory.
Rookie Ren Peñafiel top-scored for the Crossovers with 18 markers, Victonara Galang added 15 markers, while Ilongga Princess Robles and Imee Hernandez tallied 14 and 11, respectively./PN
