By Rachel Gonzales

 

Sister teams Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee emerged as the top two teams heading into the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference quarterfinals, setting the stage for a high-stakes playoff run after dominant elimination-round campaigns.

 

The Frank Lao-owned teams proved to be legit contenders after winning seven of their eight games.

 

Farm Fresh claimed the No. 1 seed after closing the preliminaries with a strong finish, capped by a sweep of Chery Tiggo.

 

Led by import Eli Rousseaux and steady local production from Ces Molina, Trisha Tubu, and setter Alohi Robins-Hardy, the Foxies rode a four-game winning streak to secure the best record in franchise history.

 

ZUS Coffee, on the other hand, placed second with its deep roster led by American Anna DeBeer and consistent locals AC Miner, Thea Gagate, Chinnie Arroyo, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Clo Mondoñedo, and Alyssa Eroa.

 

 

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee, who once handled Farm Fresh, says it’s the goal of their team owner to make a mark in the volleyball scene.

 

“We have to win. Because the management gives us great support, we need to give back. They provide everything we need, so there’s no excuse not to step up,” said Yee.

 

The Thunderbelles rose from being a winless club in 2024 to darkhorse contenders in the previous All-Filipino Conference to one of the top squads in the import-laden conference.

 

“I think every game, somebody different is stepping up, and that's what's making our team so successful this season, is everyone is stepping up in different moments,” said DeBeer. 

 

It does help kind of take the load off certain players in certain moments, and that makes our jobs easier when everyone's just doing their role.”

 

The Foxies found the right fit under Italian coach Alessandro Lodi.

 

“We’re 7-1 right now, and we just want to continue what we’re doing. I’m very proud of the team, especially being part of Farm Fresh. This feels like a fresh start, and I’m happy to be part of this 7-1 journey,” said Molina.

 

“I’m grateful for Coach Lodi’s system. Everything he teaches us, we try to adapt and study it.”

 

Farm Fresh takes on No.8 seed Akari, a team that knocked the Foxies out in last year’s Reinforced quarterfinals, while ZUS Coffee, on the other hand, battles Capital1.

 

“No one really knows what will happen in our next games, but we’ll definitely prepare for the knockout match. We’ll give our best because that’s our goal,” Molina said.

 

The Thundebelles, like their sister team, vow to give their all against the young Solar Spikers in a knockout game.

 

“There’s a lot more at stake now in the quarterfinals because one loss means everything we worked for is gone. So we’re really going to give 110% every game and leave everything on the court,” said Miner.

 

No team is safe in the do-or-die. Petro Gazz plays a tough knockout showdown against All-Filipino Finals rival Creamline, while PLDT battles Cignal in another high-pressure matchup.