The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles (stylized as ZUS Coffee) are a professional women's volleyball team in the Philippines competing in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). The team is owned by Strong Group Athletics, founded by Frank Lao, who has a stake in the Malaysian-based coffee chain Zus Coffee.[1]
The team made their team debut in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference under the name Strong Group Athletics following the organization's acquisition of the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders franchise. The Thunderbelles are one of two teams owned by SGA, the other being the Farm Fresh Foxies.
History
The Strong Group Athletics reportedly helped Premier Volleyball League club Quezon City Gerflor Defenders resolve its player salary issue[2] which was first reported in November 2023, during the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference.[3][4][5] Gerflor would be effectively disbanded after the tournament.[6]
In January 2023, it was announced that the Strong Group would be taking over Gerflor's franchise. It was Strong Group's second PVL team, the first being the Farm Fresh Foxies.[2][7] They made their PVL debut at the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.[8] Interim coach Rogelio Getigan led the team under the name "Strong Group Athletics" in their first tournament.[9][10]
In May 2024 in the lead up to the Reinforced Invitational Conference, Strong Group rebranded as Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and will take effect at the upcoming PVL conference after made a partnership with Zus Coffee. The team also announced coach Jerry Yee as the new head coach.[11]
Names
Current roster
| Zus Coffee Thunderbelles roster
|
| No.
|
Nat.
|
Player
|
Pos.
|
Height
|
DOB
|
From
|
| 1
|
|
Mycah Go
|
Outside Hitter
|
|
(2002-04-15) April 15, 2002
|
St. Benilde
|
| 3
|
|
Thea Gagate
|
Middle Blocker
|
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
|
(2000-07-06) July 6, 2000
|
De La Salle
|
| 4
|
|
Kate Santiago
|
Outside Hitter
|
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
|
(2002-01-26) January 26, 2002
|
Adamson
|
| 5
|
|
Glaudine Troncoso
|
Outside Hitter
|
1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1997-10-13) October 13, 1997
|
Central Philippine
|
| 6
|
|
Julia Angeles
|
Libero
|
1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
|
(1998-09-01) September 1, 1998
|
Letran
|
| 8
|
|
Cloanne Mondoñedo (C)
|
Setter
|
1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
|
(2000-11-16) November 16, 2000
|
St. Benilde
|
| 9
|
|
Gayle Pascual
|
Opposite Hitter
|
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
|
(1999-09-03) September 3, 1999
|
St. Benilde
|
| 10
|
|
Chinnie Pia Arroyo
|
Outside Hitter
|
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
|
(2001-05-19) May 19, 2001
|
National-U
|
| 12
|
|
Renee Mabilangan
|
Setter
|
1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
|
(2000-12-29) December 29, 2000
|
National-U
|
| 13
|
|
Sharya Ancheta
|
Middle Blocker
|
1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1999-11-25) November 25, 1999
|
Adamson
|
| 14
|
|
Dolly Versoza
|
Outside Hitter
|
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
|
(1998-03-10) March 10, 1998
|
José Rizal
|
| 15
|
|
Alexis Ciarra Miner
|
Middle Blocker
|
|
(2003-01-21) January 21, 2003
|
Ateneo
|
| 16
|
|
Alyssa Eroa
|
Libero
|
1.50 m (4 ft 11 in)
|
(1996-09-06) September 6, 1996
|
San Sebastian
|
| 17
|
|
Fiola Ceballos
|
Outside Hitter
|
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
|
(1994-06-21) June 21, 1994
|
Central Philippine
|
| 18
|
|
Danivah Sheilo Aying
|
Opposite Hitter
|
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
|
(2001-03-31) March 31, 2001
|
USJ–R
|
| 19
|
|
Rizza Nogales
|
Middle Blocker
|
|
(2002-12-03) December 3, 2002
|
UE
|
| 21
|
|
Jovelyn Gonzaga
|
Opposite Hitter
|
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
|
(1991-10-31) October 31, 1991
|
Central Philippine
|
| 24
|
|
Maika Ortiz
|
Middle Blocker
|
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1991-08-30) August 30, 1991
|
UST
|
| Coaching staff
|
| Position
|
Name
|
| Head Coach
|
Jerry Yee
|
| Assistant Coach 1
|
Rogelio Getigan
|
| Assistant Coach 2
|
Justine Dorog
|
| Assistant Coach 3
|
Mark Santos
|
| Strength and Conditioning Coach
|
Johnson Bariso
|
| Trainer
|
Abigail Magptoc
|
| Trainer
|
Juana Roxas
|
| Physiotherapist
|
Christine Magtibay
|
| Team Manager
|
Jacob Lao
|
|
Previous roster
2024-25
|
All-Filipino
|
| Zus Coffee Thunderbelles
|
| No.
|
Player
|
Position
|
Height
|
Birth date
|
School
|
| 1 |
Michelle Gamit |
Middle Blocker |
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
(2000-05-09) May 9, 2000 |
Benilde
|
| 3 |
Thea Gagate |
Middle Blocker |
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
(2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 |
DLSU
|
| 4 |
Kate Santiago |
Outside Hitter |
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
(2002-01-26) January 26, 2002 |
Adamson
|
| 5 |
Glaudine Troncoso |
Outside Hitter |
1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1997-10-13) October 13, 1997 |
CPU
|
| 6 |
Julia Angeles |
Libero |
1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
(1998-09-01) September 1, 1998 |
Letran
|
| 7 |
Jade Gentapa |
Outside Hitter |
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
November 28, 2000 (age 23) |
Benilde
|
| 8 |
Cloanne Mondoñedo (C) |
Setter |
1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2000-11-16) November 16, 2000 |
Benilde
|
| 9 |
Gayle Pascual |
Opposite Hitter |
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
September 3, 1999 (age 24) |
Benilde
|
| 10 |
Chinnie Pia Arroyo |
Outside Hitter |
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
(2001-05-19) May 19, 2001 |
NU
|
| 11 |
Jenina Marie Zeta |
Libero |
1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) |
(1999-11-12) November 12, 1999 |
UE
|
| 12 |
Joan Narit |
Middle Blocker |
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
(2000-12-04) December 4, 2000 |
Ateneo
|
| 13 |
Sharya Ancheta |
Middle Blocker
|
1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1999-11-25) November 25, 1999 |
AdU
|
| 14 |
Dolly Versoza |
Outside Hitter
|
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
|
(1998-03-10) March 10, 1998 |
JRU
|
| 16 |
Nikka Yandoc |
Setter |
1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2000-01-10) January 10, 2000 |
AdU
|
| 18 |
Danivah Sheilo Aying |
Opposite Hitter |
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2001-03-31) March 31, 2001 |
USJ-R
|
| 21 |
Jovelyn Gonzaga |
Opposite Hitter |
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
(1991-10-31) October 31, 1991 |
CPU
|
| 22 |
Ypril Tapia |
Outside Hitter |
1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) |
(2001-12-15) December 15, 2001 |
UST
|
| Coaching staff
|
| Position
|
Name
|
| Head Coach
|
Jerry Yee
|
| Assistant Coach 1
|
Rogelio Getigan
|
| Assistant Coach 2
|
Justine Dorog
|
| Strength and Conditioning Coach
|
Johnson Bariso
|
| Trainer
|
Abigail Magptoc
|
| Trainer
|
Juana Roxas
|
| Physiotherapist
|
Christine Magtibay
|
| Team Manager
|
Jacob Lao
|
|
|
|
2024
|
Reinforced
|
| Zus Coffee Thunderbelles
|
| No.
|
Player
|
Position
|
Height
|
Birth date
|
School
|
| 1 |
Michelle Gamit |
Middle Blocker |
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
(2000-05-09) May 9, 2000 |
Benilde
|
| 3 |
Thea Gagate (NT) |
Middle Blocker |
1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
(2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 |
DLSU
|
| 6 |
Julia Angeles |
Libero |
1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
(1998-09-01) September 1, 1998 |
Letran
|
| 7 |
Jade Gentapa |
Outside Hitter |
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
November 28, 2000 (age 23) |
Benilde
|
| 8 |
Cloanne Mondoñedo (C) |
Setter |
1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2000-11-16) November 16, 2000 |
Benilde
|
| 9 |
Gayle Pascual |
Opposite Hitter |
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
September 3, 1999 (age 24) |
Benilde
|
| 10 |
Dolly Versoza |
Outside Hitter
|
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
|
(1998-03-10) March 10, 1998 |
JRU
|
| 11 |
Jenina Marie Zeta |
Libero |
5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) |
(1999-11-12) November 12, 1999 |
UE
|
| 13 |
Sharya Ancheta |
Middle Blocker
|
1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1999-11-25) November 25, 1999 |
AdU
|
| 14 |
Jaycel Delos Reyes |
Middle Blocker |
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
(1999-07-14) July 14, 1999 |
Ateneo
|
| 15 |
Asaka Tamaru (I) |
Outside Hitter |
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
(1998-08-04) August 4, 1998 |
Kyoto Sangyo University
|
| 16 |
Nikka Yandoc |
Setter |
1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2000-01-10) January 10, 2000 |
AdU
|
| 17 |
Mary Joy Onofre |
Middle Blocker
|
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
|
(1997-05-28) May 28, 1997 |
LPU
|
| 22 |
Ypril Tapia |
Outside Hitter |
1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) |
(2001-12-15) December 15, 2001 |
UST
|
|
Danivah Sheilo Aying |
Outside Hitter |
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
|
USJ-R
|
| Coaching staff
|
| Position
|
Name
|
| Head Coach
|
Jerry Yee
|
| Assistant Coach 1
|
Rogelio Getigan
|
| Assistant Coach 2
|
Justine Dorog
|
| Strength and Conditioning Coach
|
Johnson Bariso
|
| Trainer
|
Abigail Magptoc
|
| Trainer
|
Juana Roxas
|
| Physiotherapist
|
Christine Magtibay
|
| Team Manager
|
Jacob Lao
|
|
|
All-Filipino
|
| Strong Group Athletics
|
| No.
|
Player
|
Position
|
Height
|
Birth date
|
School
|
| 1 |
Valiza Fornilos |
Opposite Spiker
|
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
|
(2002-01-22)January 22, 2002 (aged 22) |
ADMU
|
| 2 |
Jana Sta. Maria |
Universal |
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
(1996-08-12)August 12, 1996 (aged 27) |
UE
|
| 3 |
Melanie Romero |
Libero |
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(1996-07-16)July 16, 1996 (aged 27) |
CSB
|
| 4 |
Jean Licauco |
Libero |
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2001-05-18)May 18, 2001 (aged 22) |
ADMU
|
| 5 |
Noheli Cerdeña |
Middle Blocker
|
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
|
(1999-01-15)January 15, 1999 (aged 25) |
UPSHD
|
| 6 |
Sarah Verutiao |
Setter |
1.64 m (5 ft 5 in) |
(1996-04-25)April 25, 1996 (aged 27) |
AU
|
| 7 |
Justine Rebleza |
Outside Hitter |
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(1998-11-27)November 27, 1998 (aged 25) |
FEU
|
| 8 |
Javen Sabas |
Outside Hitter |
1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) |
(1999-01-31)January 31, 1999 (aged 25) |
PUP
|
| 9 |
Chumcee Caole |
Setter
|
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) |
(1998-07-19)July 19, 1998 (aged 25)
|
EC
|
| 10 |
Ayumi Furukawa |
Opposite Spiker
|
1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
|
(1999-04-18)April 18, 1999 (aged 24) |
ADMU
|
| 11 |
Sheeka Espinosa |
Opposite Spiker |
1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
(1996-08-26)August 26, 1996 (aged 27) |
TIP
|
| 12 |
Vira Guillema |
Setter |
1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
(1995-05-09)May 9, 1995 (aged 28) |
SSC–R
|
| 13 |
Jan Angeli Cane |
Outside Hitter |
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
(2001-01-28)January 28, 2001 (aged 23) |
ADMU
|
| 14 |
Dolly Versoza (C) |
Outside Hitter
|
1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
|
(1998-03-10)March 10, 1998 (aged 25) |
JRU
|
| 15 |
Souzan Raslan |
Opposite Spiker |
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
(1995-01-01)January 1, 1995 (aged 29) |
CDSL
|
| 17 |
Mary Joy Onofre |
Middle Blocker
|
1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
|
(1997-05-28)May 28, 1997 (aged 26) |
LPU
|
| 18 |
Grenlen Malapit |
Middle Blocker |
1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
(1997-08-18)August 18, 1997 (aged 26) |
LPU
|
| 19 |
Nikkie Baldizanso |
Middle Blocker
|
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
|
(2002-02-16)February 16, 2002 (aged 22) |
UP
|
| 20 |
Lilet Mabbayad |
Middle Blocker |
1.74 m (5 ft 9 in) |
(1987-09-16)September 16, 1987 (aged 36) |
UST
|
| 22 |
Merry Rose Jauculan |
Universal |
1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) |
(2000-08-11)August 11, 2000 (aged 23) |
UST
|
| Coaching staff
|
| Position
|
Name
|
| Head Coach
|
Rogelio Getigan
|
| Assistant Coach 1
|
Jay Chua
|
| Assistant Coach 2
|
Justine Dorog
|
| Strength and Conditioning Coach
|
Johnson Bariso
|
| Trainer
|
Juana Roxas
|
| Physiotherapist
|
Christine Magtibay
|
| Team Manager
|
Jacob Lao
|
|
|
|
Season-by-season records
| Season |
Conference |
Ranking |
Prelims |
Qualifying |
Play-in |
Quarterfinals |
Semifinals |
3rd place |
Championship
|
| 2024
|
All-Filipino
|
12th place
|
12th (0–11, 0 pts) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
—
|
| Reinforced
|
12th place
|
12th (0–8, 0 pts) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
—
|
| Invitational
|
Did not qualify
|
| 2024–25
|
All-Filipino
|
7th place
|
12th (1–10, 4 pts) |
L vs. HSH |
1st (2–0, 5 pts)
(Pool A) |
L vs. PGA |
— |
— |
—
|
Individual awards
Team captains
- Dolly Verzosa (2024)
- Cloanne Mondoñedo (2024–present)
Head coach
Imports
References
- ^ "Philippine's billionaire Frank Lao buys 35% stake in Malaysian coffee shop Zus". The Star. Star Media Group Bhd. March 22, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Dannug, Jonash (January 13, 2024). "SGA takes over Gerflor in PVL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "PVL probes Gerflor over allegations of delayed salaries, mistreatment". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ "PVL puts Gerflor under investigation". Tiebreaker Times. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ^ Agcaoili, Lance (November 9, 2023). "Gerflor team playing through low morale in PVL amid financial woes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Dukha, Angel III (December 31, 2023). "Acaylar, disbanded Gerflor squad await their fates". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ "Strong Group joins PVL, takes over Gerflor franchise". GMA News. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, John Mark (February 21, 2024). "Versoza thankful to SGA for giving PVL chance to players 'without connections'". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "Jerry Yee takes helm, picks up Benilde seniors to form Zus Coffee". Tiebreaker Times. May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Bautista, Ohmer (February 15, 2024). "PVL: SGA tempers expectations with All-Filipino Conference lineup". One Sports. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "PVL: Strong Group rebrands as Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and with Jerry Yee as new coach". One Sports. May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Kurashiki's Asaka Tamaru to strengthen Zus Coffee". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
|
|---|
- Founded in 2024
- Owned by Strong Group Athletics
- Affiliated with Zus Coffee
|
| Head coaches | |
|---|
| Team captains | |
|---|
| League affiliations | |
|---|