ZUS Coffee overcame the resilient attempts of Capital1 with a 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17 victory on Thursday night, March 13, to catch the last quarterfinals bus in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Coming off a morale-boosting five-set victory over fancied Cignal, the Thunderbelles kept their momentum going against the Solar Spikers to finish the play-in tournament with two victories.

That meant completing the quarters cast and arranging a best-of-three showdown with Petro Gazz in the next phase. Other quarters pairing pit Creamline versus Chery Tiggo, Choco Mucho against PLDT, and Akari versus Galeries Tower.

It was a momentous affair for ZUS Coffee as its latest feat already eclipsed its previous finish in the last two conferences since its inception to the league.

“Super proud of my teammates kasi binigay nila yung best nila. In-apply lang namin yung mga ginagawa namin sa practice,” said skipper Cloanne Mondonedo, who was instrumental in their superior offense by managing 24 excellent sets on top of six points.

With Mondonedo distributing the ball well, Glaudine Troncoso and Thea Gagate were able to torch the next by scoring 15 and 13 points. Chinnie Arroyo also provided ample support, pouring all her nine points on attacks.

ZUS Coffee almost closed out the game early after leading early in the third set, but Capital1 showed signs of life with Norielle Ipac, Leila Cruz and Shola Alvarez rising to the occasion to give the Solar Spikers a 17-15 lead.

That set the tone for Capital1 to conquer the frame, but ZUS Coffee was unfazed, with veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga coming off the bench and producing significant numbers in crucial moments.

Earlier, Nxled swept Farm Fresh, 25-17, 25-17, 25-18, to close out its campaign on a high note.

The Chameleons finished the play-in tournament with a 1-1 card in Pool B, but it was not enough to earn them a quarters ticket with Chery Tiggo already securing the seat a few days before.