For many rookies, the jump from college to the professional ranks comes with a steep learning curve.
For Zam Nolasco, it felt more like picking up where she left off.
The former College of Saint Benilde standout enjoyed a dream debut in the PVL, firing a team-high 15 points to power ZUS Coffee to a 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17 victory over Akari in the opening match of the 2026 PVL On Tour on Wednesday in Ilagan City, Isabela.
Instead of spending her first professional appearance adjusting to a new environment, Nolasco looked comfortable from the opening set—a familiarity she credits to head coach Jerry Yee, who also mentored her during her collegiate career at Saint Benilde.
“Same lang din po ng coach sa college, tapos same lang sa pro,” Nolasco said. “Pinag-usapan na rin namin ni Coach Jerry [Yee] na ayun yung plano after college. Okay naman po siya sa akin.”
Long before she officially entered the PVL, the move to ZUS Coffee had already been discussed between player and coach, allowing both sides to prepare for a seamless transition.
That continuity showed in her confident performance against the Chargers, where she immediately emerged as one of the Thunderbelles’ primary offensive weapons.
Although Nolasco’s collegiate career ended without an NCAA championship, Yee has already shifted her focus toward accomplishing that goal in the professional ranks.
“Sinabihan niya po ako during training dito sa ZUS. Sinabi niya sa akin, dito na lang kami kumuha ng championship,” she shared.
“Okay lang kasi makakabawi pa ako. Madami pa namang time para mag-prepare, at madami pang games na pagsasamahan namin ni Coach [Jerry].”
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#WATCH: ‘YUN NA YUNG PLANO AFTER COLLEGE
Zam Nolasco is excited to begin her #PVLonTour journey with ZUS Coffee under the guidance of her Benilde head coach Jerry Yee#ReadMore
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The smooth adjustment hasn’t been limited to the coaching staff.
Nolasco also pointed to the welcoming environment created by her veteran teammates, saying their support made it easier to settle into her new role.
“Sobrang gaan lang din po sila makasama sa loob ng court, which became very helpful for me as a rookie,” she said.
“Familiar na rin kami sa program, sa system, at sa players. Wala naman pong sobrang adjustments. Kine-keep ko lang kung paano ako maglaro.”
Her previous exposure to the PVL also played a role.
Before the Rookie Draft era, Nolasco had already experienced competing against professional clubs, including ZUS Coffee during tune-up matches while she was still with the Lady Blazers.
Those encounters gave her a clearer picture of the level of competition awaiting her after college.
“Na-experience ko na rin po yung PVL, so alam ko na ‘yung feeling ng makipaglaro sa mga pros,” Nolasco said. “Sa teammates naman, kilala ko na sila. Nung college ako, nakakalaro na rin namin yung ZUS sa tune-up.”
If her first outing is any indication, Nolasco’s transition to the professional game may not take long at all.
With confidence, familiarity, and a coach who already understands how to maximize her strengths, the rookie now turns her attention to an even bigger test when ZUS Coffee faces Choco Mucho on Saturday in Batangas City, where she’ll look to build on an impressive first chapter of her PVL career.
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