From Rizal to Ilocos: ZUS Coffee rookie AC Miner draws strength from loved ones in PVL Tour

The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles secured one of their top choices in the second Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft in June of this year after selecting AC Miner as the fifth overall pick.

Miner has already displayed her talent and skills for ZUS Coffee in her rookie professional year and has continued that form in the ongoing PVL On Tour preseason tournament. One thing that has remained constant for the young star is the unwavering support from her family and friends throughout the preseason tournament.

Miner’s mother, Arnie Lopez, and her father’s close friends, Jimmy Smith and Leanne Panganiban, have been present at all of ZUS Coffee’s fixtures in the PVL On Tour. Whether it be in Montalban, Rizal, or Candon City, Ilocos Sur, Miner has had her loved ones cheering for her from the stands.

The support has paid off, as Miner led ZUS Coffee to an important 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 15-6 win over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers at the Candon City Arena on Tuesday, July 29. Miner led from the front, finishing with 19 points built on 15 attacks and a game-high four blocks.

“Super thankful po ako kay Tito at saka sa mom ko na umabot dito para manood. Lagi silang sumusuporta sa team, hindi lang sa akin,” Miner said in the post-match press conference.

SLIDES, BLOCKS, AND BREWS WITH AC!

After their five-set victory against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, rookie middle blocker AC Miner of the ZUS Coffee @thunderbelles emerged as the team’s top scorer in their most recent #PVLonTour match, racking up 19 MASSIVE points to her name. pic.twitter.com/6bmQKaAVsY

— Sebo Nation Official (@SeboNationOFC) July 29, 2025

The versatile spiker also expressed appreciation to the thousands of fans who braved the weather and the effects of recent typhoons to throng the stadium and support their favorite teams.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat ng nanood. Kami rin po, natutuwa kami na napasaya po namin yung araw. Kahit umulan, kahit sa mga nakaraang linggo walang araw, nagpapasalamat kami na patuloy pa rin po kayong nanood ng game today kahit ganoon po yung sitwasyon. Kahit ano yung weather, tuloy pa rin ang volleyball, tuloy pa rin ang PVL na magbigay ng magandang laban para sa mga fans po kahit saan,” she added.

“Very fulfilling po naman kasi not every day nabibigyan ng chance makanood yung mga taga-probinsya. Very good kasi ngayon nakakapag-on tour kami sa iba’t ibang regions, nakakaikot yung iba’t ibang teams sa iba’t ibang lugar, so very thankful po kami sa PVL for that,” Miner concluded.

Despite their win over Chery Tiggo, ZUS Coffee find themselves placed fourth in Pool B with a 3-2 win-loss record. The Thunderbelles have a short break before they face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the knockout round on Tuesday, August 5, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, in what is a must-win game for the franchise.

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