ZUS Coffee eyes 2nd win, battles Choco Mucho
JOLINA dela Cruz and the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles try to string back-to-back wins in a showdown against Choco Mucho in the Batangas stop of the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PVL
Games today:
(Batangas City Sports Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Farm Fresh
6:30 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs ZUS Coffee
ZUS Coffee looks to carry the momentum of its opening day victory when it tackles debuting Choco Mucho for a second straight win in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour Showdown on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
Opening serve of the main attraction in the double-header spectacle is set at 6:30 p.m., following the curtain-raiser at 4 p.m., pitting Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh.
The Thunderbelles visit Batangas, hoping to get the same result they had in Isabela last Wednesday for the solo lead.
ZUS Coffee got the right brew to down Akari, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, for an encouraging start in the pre-season tournament’s stop in Ilagan.
Youthful stars Zam Nolasco and AC Miner, who returned from an injury after missing the All-Filipino Conference, led the way for the Thunderbelles while newly transferred Jolina dela Cruz made an immediate impact in her third club in a rousing triumph over the Chargers.
Nolasco, who scored 15 points last game, eyes another brilliant performance this time against one of the league’s most popular clubs.
“We just have to continue the same routine during training. And of course, put in better work and more effort knowing we’re against Choco Mucho. They also have additional players, so it’s going to be a tough battle,” the reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player said.
Dela Cruz, who joined ZUS Coffee after her contract with Farm Fresh expired, is comfortable with her role for the Thunderbelles.
“I feel that I’ll have a better chance for growth here. It’s great playing under coach Jerry (Yee) because he allows you to know yourself more especially during the game,” the De La Salle University product said.
But bringing down the Flying Titans is never a cakewalk.
Although playing sans main scorer Sisi Rondin a due to her national volleyball team commitment as well as Alas Pilipinas hitter Eya Laure and libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Choco Mucho remains formidable.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag, Isa Molde, Deanna Wong and new acquisitions Jewel Encarnacion and Ivy Perez are all ready to step up for the Dante Alinsunurin-mentored Flying Titans.
“There’s no easy game when you face Choco Mucho. It’s a super defensive team so we have to be patient and focused all the time,” Dela Cruz said.
On the other hand, the Highrisers unveil prized rookie Lams Lamina, the top overall pick in the recent Draft.
The National University product will be sharing playmaking duties with Jules Coronel for the Galeries Tower, which boasts of good hitters just waiting to get their share of the spotlight.
Erika Deloria, Lycha Ebon, Jade Gentapa, Gayle Pascual, veteran Aiza Pontillas and versatile Alyssa Bertolano lead the Highrisers’ wrecking crew.
Its biggest advantage, however, could come at the net, where Jean Asis, Ann Roselle Asis and Roselle Baliton form one of the league’s more formidable middle-blocking rotations.
Farm Fresh, though, has the firepower to match.
Last season’s MVP Trisha Tubu headlines a deep and experienced Foxies roster.
Backstopping the decorated opposite spiker are Rizza Cruz, Ara Galang, Roselyn Aquino, Riri Meneses, Ces Molina, Mylene Rezanova, Renee Peñafiel
