ZUS Coffee completes comeback in five-setter against Akari for perfect 5-0 start 

The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles finally got the victory that slipped through the cracks of the record books — and they made sure it was one no one could take away.

In a poetic twist of fate, the Thunderbelles once again found themselves opposite the Akari Chargers — the same team they had defeated in an “unofficial” win erased by import clearance delays. 

This time, with everything in order, ZUS Coffee stormed back from two sets down to complete a breathtaking 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-7 reverse sweep on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, sealing a perfect 5-0 campaign in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference first round.

“Five-zero start, wala eh. Nag-aadjust lang din tayo kung anong ibibigay ng kalaban, kukunin natin. So ayun, swerte kami this game kasi nakapag-adjust and then nakuha namin,” said head coach Jerry Yee, who has quietly built ZUS Coffee into a model of consistency and chemistry despite a turbulent start to the season.

The Thunderbelles’ climb out of a two-set hole felt symbolic — a reflection of their journey from a team with a voided victory to one that reclaimed its rightful place atop Pool B. 

And leading that charge was Anna DeBeer, the American import whose much-delayed debut turned into an instant redemption story. 

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FIVE-SET QUEENS FOR A REASON

Anna DeBeer and ZUS Coffee pull off a commanding reverse sweep over Akari, extending their franchise-best start to five straight wins as they head into the next round of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference!#PVL2025 #TheHeartOfVolleyball pic.twitter.com/lYXYpjxmB5

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) November 4, 2025

DeBeer erupted for 33 points and 12 receptions, embodying the determination that fueled ZUS Coffee’s comeback. After missing their “unofficial” first encounter with Akari due to ITC issues, the University of Louisville standout returned with a vengeance, hammering clutch hits that broke the Chargers’ will in the deciding set.

“Definitely, it was hard sitting out the first one, so just being able to play and have such a cool environment here was really fun,” said DeBeer.

Her early dominance in the fifth set — capped by consecutive cross-court kills that ignited an 8-1 run — flipped the match’s script entirely. From there, ZUS Coffee never looked back, turning the decider into a celebration of grit and synchronicity.

Behind DeBeer’s firepower, veterans and role players alike rose to the moment. Jovelyn Gonzaga posted a triple-double of 11 points, 13 digs, and 13 receptions, while rookie Riza Nogales made her presence felt with 11 points and four kill blocks. Chinnie Arroyo and AC Miner added key contributions off the bench, fueling the team’s late surge.

Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo orchestrated the offense with 27 excellent sets and four points, while libero Alyssa Eroa anchored the defense with 20 digs — a performance emblematic of the Thunderbelles’ resilience.

For Akari, it was a frustrating collapse after a promising 2-0 start. The Chargers’ 32 errors proved costly, overshadowing strong outings from Annie Michem (27 points, 17 receptions), Eli Soyud (15), and the duo of Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo, who chipped in 11 apiece.

Despite the loss, Akari (3-2) still advanced to Pool C, joining ZUS Coffee and defending champion Creamline — a group that promises high-stakes showdowns in the next phase.

But for the Thunderbelles, Tuesday night was more than just another win. It was validation — a testament to their perseverance through bureaucracy, adversity, and two lost sets — culminating in a sweep that will finally count where it matters most. 

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