BATANGAS CITY, Philippines — Zam Nolasco continued to make a strong case as one of the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) brightest emerging stars after leading ZUS Coffee to an impressive 25-14, 25-20, 25-23 sweep of Choco Mucho during the PVL On Tour at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum. The victory improved the Thunderbelles’ record to 4-0, allowing them to seize the solo lead in the preseason tournament standings.
Playing before an energetic provincial crowd, ZUS Coffee displayed the poise and chemistry that have fueled its unbeaten campaign. The Thunderbelles relied on disciplined defense, balanced scoring, and timely execution in crucial moments, while Nolasco once again showcased her versatility on both ends of the floor to earn the Player of the Game honors.
For a team that entered the tournament with plenty of new faces and high expectations, the latest victory served as another statement that ZUS Coffee is quickly developing into one of the teams to watch heading into the upcoming PVL season.
From the opening whistle, the Thunderbelles immediately established control.
ZUS Coffee dictated the pace with aggressive serving, solid floor defense, and efficient attacking that prevented Choco Mucho from finding any offensive rhythm. Every successful defensive stop quickly turned into transition opportunities, allowing the Thunderbelles to build an early lead that continued to grow throughout the first set.
Nolasco was among the players who set the tone, consistently making smart decisions on offense while also contributing defensively whenever Choco Mucho attempted to mount a response.
The balanced attack proved too much for the Flying Titans to overcome as ZUS Coffee cruised to a convincing 25-14 victory in the opening set.
The second frame presented a tougher challenge.
Determined not to fall further behind, Choco Mucho showed more resistance by tightening its defense and producing several scoring runs that briefly kept the contest within striking distance. However, every time momentum appeared to shift, ZUS Coffee responded with calm execution and disciplined volleyball.
The Thunderbelles received contributions from multiple players, preventing Choco Mucho from focusing its defense on just one scorer. Their efficient ball distribution and strong net defense eventually helped them pull away late in the set before securing a 25-20 win.
With a commanding two-set advantage, ZUS Coffee found itself just one set away from preserving its unbeaten record.
The third set turned out to be the most competitive of the afternoon.
Unlike the opening two frames, Choco Mucho refused to back down and gradually found its rhythm offensively. The Flying Titans erased what had been a comfortable five-point deficit and eventually tied the score at 22-all, setting the stage for an intense finish that brought the Batangas crowd to its feet.
Rather than panicking, the Thunderbelles displayed the maturity they have developed throughout the tournament.
Jolina Dela Cruz delivered a crucial off-the-block attack to restore ZUS Coffee’s advantage before Alexis Miner produced the match-clinching block that sealed the 25-23 victory, completing the straight-set sweep and preserving the team’s perfect record.
Although several veterans delivered timely contributions throughout the match, it was Nolasco who once again captured the spotlight with another composed and efficient performance.
The rookie outside hitter consistently provided stability during long rallies, made smart decisions in transition, and showed confidence beyond her years despite facing one of the league’s most experienced teams.
Her all-around effort earned her the Player of the Game award, another milestone in what has already been an impressive start to her professional career.
Despite the recognition, Nolasco remained humble during the postgame interview, admitting that simply playing once again before a large crowd was something she truly missed.
“Siyempre, excited po ako kasi namiss ko yung feeling na maglaro sa ganito karaming crowd. Nakaka-excite talaga ngayon maglaro, especially for ZUS.” – Zam Nolasco
The atmosphere inside the Batangas City Sports Coliseum undoubtedly became one of the highlights of the afternoon.
Fans cheered loudly after every spectacular rally, with both teams receiving tremendous support throughout the contest. For Nolasco, performing before thousands of passionate volleyball supporters made the experience even more memorable.
As one of the younger members of the Thunderbelles, Nolasco admitted that she continues to learn from the team’s veterans every single day.
Instead of putting pressure on herself to deliver standout performances, she revealed that her teammates constantly remind her to stay relaxed, trust the system, and simply enjoy every opportunity to compete.
“Sa training pa lang, sinasabihan na ako ng mga ate ko na maglaro lang at mag-enjoy. Ngayon, ginagawa ko yung best ko para matulungan yung team ko.” – Zam Nolasco
That advice has clearly paid off.
Rather than forcing difficult plays or trying to shoulder the offensive load by herself, Nolasco has embraced the role assigned to her within the team’s structure. Her willingness to contribute in every aspect of the game has become one of the reasons behind ZUS Coffee’s impressive run in the tournament.
The Thunderbelles have built their success on teamwork.
Instead of relying on a single superstar, ZUS Coffee has developed into a well-balanced squad capable of receiving production from multiple players. Their offense features several scoring options, while their defensive system emphasizes communication, hustle, and trust.
Those qualities were once again evident against Choco Mucho.
Even when the Flying Titans threatened to extend the match in the third set, ZUS Coffee never lost its composure. The players trusted one another, executed the coaching staff’s game plan, and eventually closed out the contest with poise.
Their ability to remain calm during pressure situations continues to separate them from many of the other teams competing in the PVL On Tour.
Beyond the team’s on-court performance, Nolasco also made sure to acknowledge the fans who filled the Batangas venue and created one of the tournament’s liveliest atmospheres.
She expressed her gratitude to the local volleyball community and encouraged supporters to continue attending future PVL On Tour matches as the league brings professional volleyball to different provinces across the country.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat ng Batangueño at Batangueña na sumusuporta sa PVL. Manood pa po kayo sa mga next games namin. Maraming salamat po.” – Zam Nolasco
Her message resonated with the enthusiastic crowd, whose unwavering support added another memorable chapter to the league’s successful provincial tour.
For the PVL, stops like Batangas continue to demonstrate the growing popularity of volleyball outside Metro Manila. Packed arenas and passionate fans have become a recurring theme throughout the On Tour competition, giving players the opportunity to perform before communities that rarely get the chance to watch professional volleyball live.
For ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, the latest victory represents much more than another mark in the win column.
Improving to 4-0 and taking the solo lead gives the Thunderbelles valuable confidence as they continue building chemistry ahead of the league’s main conference. The preseason tournament has provided the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate combinations, develop younger players, and strengthen the team’s identity.
So far, the results have been extremely encouraging.
With experienced veterans providing leadership and emerging talents like Nolasco continuing to blossom, ZUS Coffee has developed into one of the tournament’s most complete teams.
Although tougher challenges still await, the Thunderbelles have already shown they possess the discipline, depth, and resilience needed to compete against the league’s top contenders.
As for Nolasco, every match appears to strengthen her confidence without changing her mindset.
Individual awards may continue to come her way, but the rookie remains focused on helping her teammates, learning from the veterans around her, and embracing every opportunity to improve.
If her performance against Choco Mucho is any indication, the future looks incredibly bright—not only for Zam Nolasco but also for a ZUS Coffee squad that continues to surprise the league with every victory.
With momentum firmly on their side and the solo lead now in their possession, the Thunderbelles will head into their upcoming matches carrying both confidence and growing expectations. Should they continue playing with the same discipline and togetherness they displayed in Batangas, ZUS Coffee could very well emerge as one of the strongest contenders once the PVL season officially begins.
