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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider ZUS Coffee, Petro Gazz clash in winner-take-all finals

ZUS Coffee, Petro Gazz clash in winner-take-all finals

Published Nov 29, 2025 02:03 pm

At A Glance

  • ZUS Coffee, riding a franchise-best run and repeatedly defying expectations, battles two-time Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz in the winner-take-all final at 5 p.m.
Myla Pablo is expected to join forces with Brooke Van Sickle and Lindsey Vander Weide for Petro Gazz. (PVL Images)
Myla Pablo is expected to join forces with Brooke Van Sickle and Lindsey Vander Weide for Petro Gazz. (PVL Images)
A youthful squad eager for a breakthrough championship collides with a veteran team in pursuit of another crown as the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference culminates on Sunday, Nov. 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
ZUS Coffee, riding a franchise-best run and repeatedly defying expectations, battles two-time Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz in the winner-take-all final at 5 p.m.
The championship match is preceded by the 2 p.m. tussle between PLDT and Akari for the bronze medal.
The Thunderbelles have been drawing strength from the consistent, impressive play of Anna DeBeer, whose growing chemistry with the local cast has been pivotal to their campaign. In the semifinals, ZUS Coffee blasted On Tour and Invitational Conference champion PLDT, 25-22, 28-26, 25-22, to continue its Cinderella run.
DeBeer is not entirely lacking with support as Chinnie Arroyo, AC Miner, Thea Gagate and veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga provide enough firepower along with versatile setter Cloanne Mondonedo. Alyssa Eroa is also taking charge of the floor defense.
ZUS Coffee is determined to win it all. After all, they have been sending shock-waves throughout the conference, already eclipsing their previous best finish of sixth place in the last Invitational Conference since joining the league last year.
They are also banking on their 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 victory over the Angels in their preliminary meeting last Oct. 28.
But the finals is an entirely different arena, and Petro Gazz has the advantage of that championship experience.
Winners of the 2019 and 2022 Reinforced Conference editions, the Angels seek to return to familiar territory and re-establish themselves in this import-flavored tournament.
After the tough semis duel against Akari where they prevailed, 25-19, 25-17, 15-25, 22-25, 15-13, Petro Gazz is even more determined to finally win it all.
In the last Reinforced Conference, the Angels came in sixth, losing to fancied Creamline in the quarterfinals.
Apart from regaining lost glory, Brooke Van Sickle is also eyeing a family milestone, seeking to win the championship alongside her parents, head coach Gary Van Sickle, and assistant coach Lisa Van Sickle.
Joining Brooke in beefing the Angels’ frontline are Lindsey Vander Weide and MJ Phillips, with veteran Myla Pablo also slowly regaining her old form.
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