For the first time, expansion team ZUS Coffee has reached the quarterfinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

Leading the way in the breakthrough 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference playoffs run is heady setter Cloanne Mondoñedo, who has been consistent throughout the Thunderbelles’ impressive campaign in the franchise’s second season in the league.

The playmaker stepped up when it mattered the most, coming up with stellar games in the play-in round to propel ZUS Coffee into best-of-three quarters.

Given a second chance to catch the last bus ride into the next phase of the season-opening tournament, Mondoñedo steered the business tycoon Frank Lao-owned club in the right direction.

“Everyone wants to get that quarters spot in the play-ins and I was motivated by my teammates’ determination to snatch that spot,” she said.

“I just did my best to get the job done,” added the former National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player out of College of Saint Benilde.

Mondoñedo orchestrated ZUS Coffee’s balanced attack in a crucial 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12 win over Cignal, tallying 24 excellent sets on top of two points to start the play-ins last Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

After two days, she followed it up with 24 excellent sets and six points in a 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17, victory over Capital1 to formalize the Thunderbelles’ quarters entry.

“Super happy and proud because we really worked hard to reach this point and everybody contributed,” the 24-year-old court general added.

Mondoñedo’s performance was enough to earn the nod as PVL Press Corps Player of the Week, presented by Pilipinas Live, for the period of 11 to 15 March.

She edged teammate Chai Troncoso, Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina, Akari’s Ivy Lacsina, Chery Tiggo’s Ara Galang and Nxled’s Chiara Permentilla for the weekly recognition.

The skipper became the first NCAA product to be honored with the award deliberated upon by reporters from print and online publications covering the league.

Mondoñedo vows to help the Thunderbelles make the most of their quarters appearance despite the daunting task of bringing down well-experienced second-seeded Petro Gazz Angels in the series opening on Tuesday.

“For me, there’s no backing down. We are here to fight and showcase our skills,” she said.