ZUS Coffee showcased its perfect brew to scald Akari, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, for a rousing start in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Showdown Wednesday at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.

A third-set meltdown and a tight first half of the fourth frame turned out to be just minor hiccups for the Thunderbelles, who launched a closing 10-2 barrage to finish off the Chargers in one hour and 57 minutes.

Youthful gunners Zam Nolasco and AC Miner led the way in ZUS Coffee’s balanced scoring with 15 points each.

Nolasco punched in 11 kills and had four kill blocks in an explosive debut with the Jerry Yee-coached squad, which displayed great chemistry despite having some key additions.

“It’s easy playing with my new teammates on the court. It was such a great help for me being a rookie in the team,” said the three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion and NCAA Season 101 Most Valuable Player.

“It also helps that I’m familiar with the program, system and players, so I think there are just a few adjustments on my part and with the way I play,” added Nolasco, who played under Yee with the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in college.

Miner was all over the place on offense as she chipped in eight spikes, four aces and two kill blocks on top of 10 digs.

Seasoned hitter Rachel Anne Daquis turned back the hands of time with a vintage performance of 11 points and Jolina Dela Cruz added 11 markers and 13 excellent receptions for the Thunderbelles, who had 58 attack points and 13 kill blocks while receiving 24 free points off Akari’s errors.

Cloaanne Mondonedo orchestrated ZUS Coffee’s fluid plays with 21 excellent sets.

ZUS Coffee raced to a 6-0 lead to start the fourth set but pesky Akari mounted a counterattack and tied it at 15. The Thunderbelles quickly fired back with an avalanche of points aided by the Chargers’ costly miscues to secure the win and a P100,000 incentive for their win.

Akari avoided a shutout with a spirited rally in the third set.

The Chargers stormed back from a 14-20 deficit with a huge 10-3 run capped by Chenie Tagaod block-breaker to give Akari the setpoint advantage, 24-23.

ZUS Coffee’s Sam Nolasco will save three setpoints, knotting the frame at 26 for the last time. Ivy Lacsina pushed the Chargers back on top for a fourth setpoint advantage before the Thunderbelles surrendered the set on a Kate Santiago attack error.

Eli Soyud did the heavy lifting on offense for Akari with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces while Lacsina finished with nine markers and 11 digs. Faith Nisperos returned from injury and scored two.

Outside spiker Grethcel Soltones was converted to a libero in the absence of Alas Pilipinas member Justine Jazareno and had 14 digs for Akari, who also played sans national team member Fifi Sharma.