Waiting for Thea, ZUS finds hope in little triumphs
For a team that struggled the previous season and carries very little expectations in the current PVL Reinforced Conference, it is important to celebrate the small wins.
The ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles found pieces of those little triumphs in a loss to the Cignal HD Spikers: They put up a gallant fight and nearly dragged their opponents to a deciding set before yielding a 25-18, 29-27, 21-25, 25-22 decision.
“What the coaches always say is the improvement must be there; it is something we need to see,” assistant coach Justine Dorog told the Inquirer after the loss. “We are happy when we see that improvement.”
Dorog said the team was happy with the performances of former St. Benilde players Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit and Jade Gentapa, who were guest players for the Farm Fresh Foxies last year, but are practically novices in the pros.
ZUS Coffee also acquired three other rookies from the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft such as University of the East libero Jenina Zeta, and Adamson standouts Sharya Ancheta and Nikka Yandoc, aside from Alas Pilipinas player Thea Gagate, the No. 1 pick who has yet to join the team.
No first six
Dorog, however, clarified that the coaching staff does not treat the young guns as rookies.
“It doesn’t mean that just because you’re new here (in the PVL), you’re also new to the game,” Dorog said. You’ve went through a lot of hard work before when it comes to the game and this is the chance and opportunity that the PVL and ZUS Coffee has given you to show the result of all that work.”
There is no official “first six” for ZUS Coffee, according to Dorog, adding that whoever performs well in training and then, in the game, will be able to get more playing time.
“You need to grab every opportunity or chance that you get to play. If you have a good showing, you’re the one who gets to play [longer minutes],” Dorog said.
ZUS Coffee is aware that their struggles from last season will spill over to the Reinforced Conference. But Gagate’s return from her stint with the national team will make the team stronger.
“She will be a big help, just coming from a champion team and her experience [with the national team],” Dorog said. “I hope she can impart that experience to the team.”
