ZUS Coffee’s Jovelyn Gonzaga.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — ZUS Coffee mainstays relished the addition of Jovelyn Gonzaga, who led them to their first-ever win in the PVL.

Gonzaga has been a revelation for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles as she spearheaded the team’s first-ever franchise win in the Premier Volleyball League, drubbing the Nxled Chameleons, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15, to get on the board in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

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After previously losing all their 20 games in the PVL, the veteran hitter proved to be the difference maker scoring 23 points on an efficient night to go along with 12 digs to pace the Thunderbelles in the breakthrough victory at the Ynares Center Antipolo on Tuesday.

READ: PVL: Vet Jovelyn Gonzaga leads young ZUS Coffee breakthrough

For etching her name in franchise history, Gonzaga nets the second PVL Press Corps Player of the Week award for the period of November 19 to 23.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee was grateful to have a veteran in Gonzaga, who has been complementing the young energy of his team composed of College of Saint Benilde players and No.1 overall pick Thea Gagate

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“‘Yung mga veterans, ang laking bagay sa amin kasi we know the tempo, we know the fight, we know the hits, pero ang hindi namin alam is ‘yung pag-slow down, ‘yung mag-drop kung kailan kailangan mag-drop lang, ‘yung mag-place kung kailan kailangan mag-place lang. Hindi ‘yung hataw kami nang hataw. Puro kami gigil,” said Yee.

“Si Jov, si (Chai) Troncoso, if you watched the game, ‘yung mga crucial points namin, galing sa good placement ng bola nila.”

Thunderbelles setter Cloanne Mondoñedo is also elated with the leadership of the Philippine Army sergeant.

“Siyempre sobrang happy since first win nga and ang tagal naming hinintay ito. Thankful kami kay Thea and ate Jov kasi ang laki talaga ng tulong nila sa amin lalo na yung maturity nila and yung leadership ni Ate Jovelyn,” said Mondoñedo.

Gonzaga’s double-double performance, along with her stellar leadership of the youngster-laden Thunderbelles, helped her beat out Creamline’s Bea de Leon, PLDT’s Savi Davidson, Cignal’s Gel Cayuna, Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle, and Choco Mucho hitter Sisi Rondina for the weekly plum decided by print and online journalists covering the competition, which is also streamed live and on-demand via Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.

The 33-year-old wasn’t only effective but she was also efficient with a 20-of-30 attacking clip to help ZUS Coffee overcome a first-set deficit.

READ: PVL: ZUS Coffee posts first franchise win, beats Nxled

Being one of the most experienced players in the league, Gonzaga said that she felt the responsibility to make her presence felt, not for personal glory but to help her teammates as well.

“Ang lagi kong sinasagot sa interview, kailangan kong mag-step up kasi once nag-step up ako, makakahugot din ng kumpiyansa ‘yung teammates ko. At the same time, ang laki din kasi talaga ng tiwala ko sa talent, potential ng bawat isa.” she said.

But with the six-month tournament organized by Sports Vision still in its early stages, Gonzaga believes there is much more to realize for herself and the rest of the Thunderbelles, who are also paced by PVL Draft top pick Thea Gagate.

“‘Yung team kasi galing na kay coach Jerry. Kailangan talaga namin ng exposure. Experience and exposure tuloy-tuloy na laro hanggang makapa namin, hanggat ma consistent namin, hanggang magkaroon kami ng total na chemistry. Pag dating naman sa training, bawat isa kasi, ‘yun lagi kong sinasabi, masipag sila, puno sila ng potential. So more on exposure, unti-onti lang. One step at a time, one game at a time, we will get there.” she said.

Now with the monkey off their backs, the sky’s the limit for Gonzaga and the rest of ZUS.

The Thunderbelles return to action with renewed vigor on Thursday, November 28, when they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.