ZUS Coffee is proving that early success is not built around a single star but on a roster learning to move as one—and Jolina Dela Cruz is quickly becoming an important piece of that puzzle.
The Thunderbelles continued their impressive start to the 2026 PVL On Tour on Saturday, sweeping Choco Mucho, 25-15, 25-20, 25-23, at the Batangas City Sports Center to seize the early solo lead in the tournament with a 2-0 record.
For Dela Cruz, the unbeaten start reflects more than just victories. It is also evidence that she is gradually finding her rhythm after making the move to ZUS Coffee following her stint with Farm Fresh in the previous conference.
“I think, unti-unti naman nakakasunod na rin talaga sa sistema nila. Siyempre, sariling sistema din talaga si coach Jerry, tapos ‘yung players talaga, galing din talaga sa kanya,” Dela Cruz said.
Rather than immediately taking on a starring role, the 26-year-old outside hitter has embraced the team’s structure, allowing the Thunderbelles’ balanced system to flourish under head coach Jerry Yee.
That depth was on full display against the Flying Titans as Chinnie Arroyo paced the offense with nine points, while Jovelyn Gonzaga and Alyanna Ong chipped in eight each.
Dela Cruz and Rachel Anne Daquis contributed six markers apiece, while Kate Santiago, Zam Nolasco, AC Miner, and Riza Nogales all added five points, highlighting the team’s distributed scoring attack.
Dela Cruz credited Yee’s willingness to constantly rotate his players for helping everyone stay involved.
“Today, talagang binabalasa rin talaga ni coach (Jerry) ‘yung mga tao. Makikita rin naman kahit sa other teams, ganun ‘yung ginagawa,” Dela Cruz explained.
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DELA CRUZ DRIVES ZUS COFFEE!
Efficiency and floor defense! Jolina Dela Cruz earns the Player of the Game award after putting up 6 points on 6 attacks, while adding 3 excellent digs and 4 excellent receptions for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles!#PVL #PVL2026 pic.twitter.com/kgaZ3lyofS
— HuddleHub PH (@drcytmbyn) July 11, 2026
Yee said the frequent lineup adjustments are intentional as the team continues to build chemistry with several new faces and players adapting to different responsibilities.
“We’re trying to practice our rotation. Marami kaming bago, mga bagong position, so we’d like to practice and get them some playing time,” said Yee.
“I’d like to say na masaya ako at nagre-respond sila sa mga changes, but siyempre, marami pa rin kaming adjustments na kailangang gawin,” he added.
The Thunderbelles have now opened the tournament with consecutive victories after also defeating Akari in their opener in Isabela, with their disciplined net defense and balanced offense emerging as early trademarks.
ZUS Coffee will now have ample time to continue refining its chemistry before returning to action on Aug. 8, when it faces the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the next leg of the PVL On Tour in the City of Santiago.
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