AC Miner’s return to ZUS Coffee has been about much more than recovering from injury. It has also marked the beginning of another transformation in her volleyball journey.
After missing the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference because of a shin injury, Miner has returned to the Thunderbelles with a different assignment, taking over as an opposite spiker after spending most of her career as a middle blocker.
Instead of viewing the adjustment as a setback, the former Ateneo standout has welcomed the challenge with the same mindset that has defined much of her career.
“I’m accepting it well,” Miner said when asked about the position switch.
The role is hardly unfamiliar territory for the former Rookie of the Conference. During her final season with Ateneo under Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso in UAAP Season 87, Miner was also asked to alternate between middle blocker and opposite hitter, giving her experience that is now proving valuable in the professional ranks.
For ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee, the move was driven by both necessity and long-term planning.
With Thea Gagate, Riza Nogales, Zam Nolasco, and fourth overall rookie Nicole Ong providing depth in the middle, keeping everyone in their natural position would leave limited opportunities for several players.
“Ano naman eh, as long as willing ‘yung bata. Kasi ‘yung mga middles natin, hindi natin ma-maximize if tatlo sila or apat; may hindi maglalaro. So talagang merong isa na magsi-switch talaga,” said Yee.
“Nagta-transition na rin naman ‘yung mga opposite natin, so paunti-unti, nagpapakabata tayo kumbaga,” he added.
The shift also allows the Thunderbelles to gradually prepare for the future while easing the workload of veteran opposite spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga, whose experience continues to play a vital role in the team’s development.
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Miner admitted that the biggest adjustment has come away from the net, particularly in improving her back-row defense after spending years focusing on blocking as a middle.
“So, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko sa depensa since ‘yun naman siguro ‘yung kulang ko as a middle — ‘yung defense sa back row. So, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung kailangan kong trabahuhin. Overall, well accepted naman ‘yung new role,” said the former Rookie of the Conference.
Fortunately for Miner, she has someone she trusts to guide her through the transition.
“I’m accepting it well, since ‘yung kapalitan ko, si Ate Jov (Gonzaga), isa sa mga veterans,” she said.
“Sobrang mahalaga kasi ni Ate Jov. Mas matagal na siyang naglalaro kaysa sa akin. With the help of the other veterans din, nagkakaroon ako ng kumpiyansa kasi hine-help nila ako para mas makatulong sa team at ma-boost din ‘yung confidence ko,” she added.
Yee believes the experiment could eventually give ZUS Coffee another legitimate attacking option while making the team’s frontline bigger and more flexible against the league’s top opponents.
The early returns have already been encouraging during the Thunderbelles’ unbeaten start in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown, particularly with Miner’s improved presence at the net.
“At least na-address natin. ‘Yung blocking, talagang malaki na improvement. Siyempre, maraming butas, like ‘yung floor defense natin; kailangan maalaga tayo. ‘Yung third ball natin kailangan maayos din,” said Yee.
Even so, the longtime mentor stressed that the conversion remains a work in progress rather than a finished product.
“May pros and cons pero ganun talaga, we have to work.”
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