Zus Coffee Thunderbelles

Zus Coffee Thunderbelles

Short name	Zus Coffee
Nickname	Thunderbelles
Founded	2024
Owner	Strong Group Athletics
Head coach	Jerry Yee
Captain	Cloanne Mondoñedo
League	Premier Volleyball League
2025 PVL on Tour	7th place

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

• Strong Group Athletics (2024 All-Filipino)
• Zus Coffee Thunderbelles (2024 Reinforced–present)

Current roster

Main article: 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference

Zus Coffee Thunderbelles roster
No.	Nat.	Player	Pos.	Height	DOB	From
1		Mycah Go	Outside Hitter		(2002-04-15) April 15, 2002 (age 23)	St. Benilde
2		Caroline Santos	Middle Blocker	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)		De La Salle
3		Thea Gagate	Middle Blocker	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)	(2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 (age 25)	De La Salle
4		Kate Santiago	Outside Hitter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(2002-01-26) January 26, 2002 (age 23)	Adamson
5		Glaudine Troncoso	Outside Hitter	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)	(1997-10-13) October 13, 1997 (age 27)	Central Philippine
6		Julia Angeles	Libero	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)	(1998-09-01) September 1, 1998 (age 26)	Letran
8		Cloanne Mondoñedo  (C)	Setter	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)	(2000-11-16) November 16, 2000 (age 24)	St. Benilde
9		Gayle Pascual	Opposite Hitter	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)	(1999-09-03) September 3, 1999 (age 25)	St. Benilde
10		Chinnie Pia Arroyo	Outside Hitter	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)	(2001-05-19) May 19, 2001 (age 24)	National-U
11		Wielyn Estoque	Outside Hitter	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)	(2001-04-08) April 8, 2001 (age 24)	St. Benilde
12		Renee Mabilangan	Setter	1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)	(2000-12-29) December 29, 2000 (age 24)	National-U
13		Sharya Ancheta	Middle Blocker	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)	(1999-11-25) November 25, 1999 (age 25)	Adamson
14		Dolly Versoza	Outside Hitter	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)	(1998-03-10) March 10, 1998 (age 27)	José Rizal
15		Alexis Ciarra Miner	Middle Blocker		(2003-01-21) January 21, 2003 (age 22)	Ateneo
16		Alyssa Eroa	Libero	1.50 m (4 ft 11 in)	(1996-09-06) September 6, 1996 (age 28)	San Sebastian
17		Fiola Ceballos	Outside Hitter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(1994-06-21) June 21, 1994 (age 31)	Central Philippine
18		Danivah Sheilo Aying	Opposite Hitter	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)	(2001-03-31) March 31, 2001 (age 24)	USJ–R
19		Rizza Nogales	Middle Blocker		(2002-12-03) December 3, 2002 (age 22)	UE
21		Jovelyn Gonzaga	Opposite Hitter	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)	(1991-10-31) October 31, 1991 (age 33)	Central Philippine
24		Maika Ortiz	Middle Blocker	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)	(1991-08-30) August 30, 1991 (age 33)	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

Invitational Conference and PVL on Tour Main article: 2025 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference Main article: 2025 Premier Volleyball League on Tour Zus Coffee Thunderbelles roster No. Nat. Player Pos. Height DOB From 1 Mycah Go Outside Hitter (2002-04-15) April 15, 2002 (age 23) St. Benilde 3 Thea Gagate Middle Blocker 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) (2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 (age 25) De La Salle 4 Kate Santiago Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (2002-01-26) January 26, 2002 (age 23) Adamson 5 Glaudine Troncoso Outside Hitter 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1997-10-13) October 13, 1997 (age 27) Central Philippine 6 Julia Angeles Libero 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1998-09-01) September 1, 1998 (age 26) Letran 8 Cloanne Mondoñedo  (C) Setter 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) (2000-11-16) November 16, 2000 (age 24) St. Benilde 9 Gayle Pascual Opposite Hitter 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) (1999-09-03) September 3, 1999 (age 25) St. Benilde 10 Chinnie Pia Arroyo Outside Hitter 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) (2001-05-19) May 19, 2001 (age 24) National-U 12 Renee Mabilangan Setter 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in) (2000-12-29) December 29, 2000 (age 24) National-U 13 Sharya Ancheta Middle Blocker 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-11-25) November 25, 1999 (age 25) Adamson 14 Dolly Versoza Outside Hitter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1998-03-10) March 10, 1998 (age 27) José Rizal 15 Alexis Ciarra Miner Middle Blocker (2003-01-21) January 21, 2003 (age 22) Ateneo 16 Alyssa Eroa Libero 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) (1996-09-06) September 6, 1996 (age 28) San Sebastian 17 Fiola Ceballos Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1994-06-21) June 21, 1994 (age 31) Central Philippine 18 Danivah Sheilo Aying Opposite Hitter 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (2001-03-31) March 31, 2001 (age 24) USJ–R 19 Rizza Nogales Middle Blocker (2002-12-03) December 3, 2002 (age 22) UE 21 Jovelyn Gonzaga Opposite Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1991-10-31) October 31, 1991 (age 33) Central Philippine 24 Maika Ortiz Middle Blocker 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (1991-08-30) August 30, 1991 (age 33) 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 All-Filipino Main article: 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference 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 (age 25) Benilde 3 Thea Gagate Middle Blocker 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) (2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 (age 25) DLSU 4 Kate Santiago Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (2002-01-26) January 26, 2002 (age 23) Adamson 5 Glaudine Troncoso Outside Hitter 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1997-10-13) October 13, 1997 (age 27) CPU 6 Julia Angeles Libero 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1998-09-01) September 1, 1998 (age 26) 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 (age 24) 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 (age 24) NU 11 Jenina Marie Zeta Libero 1.55 m (5 ft 1 in) (1999-11-12) November 12, 1999 (age 25) UE 12 Joan Narit Middle Blocker 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) (2000-12-04) December 4, 2000 (age 24) Ateneo 13 Sharya Ancheta Middle Blocker 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-11-25) November 25, 1999 (age 25) AdU 14 Dolly Versoza Outside Hitter 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in) (1998-03-10) March 10, 1998 (age 27) JRU 16 Nikka Yandoc Setter 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) (2000-01-10) January 10, 2000 (age 25) AdU 18 Danivah Sheilo Aying Opposite Hitter 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) (2001-03-31) March 31, 2001 (age 24) USJ-R 21 Jovelyn Gonzaga Opposite Hitter 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) (1991-10-31) October 31, 1991 (age 33) CPU 22 Ypril Tapia Outside Hitter 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) (2001-12-15) December 15, 2001 (age 23) 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 Main article: 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference 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 (age 25) Benilde 3 Thea Gagate (NT) Middle Blocker 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) (2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 (age 25) DLSU 6 Julia Angeles Libero 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) (1998-09-01) September 1, 1998 (age 26) 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 (age 24) 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 (age 27) JRU 11 Jenina Marie Zeta Libero 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) (1999-11-12) November 12, 1999 (age 25) UE 13 Sharya Ancheta Middle Blocker 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-11-25) November 25, 1999 (age 25) AdU 14 Jaycel Delos Reyes Middle Blocker 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) (1999-07-14) July 14, 1999 (age 26) Ateneo 15 Asaka Tamaru (I) Outside Hitter 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) (1998-08-04) August 4, 1998 (age 27) Kyoto Sangyo University 16 Nikka Yandoc Setter 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) (2000-01-10) January 10, 2000 (age 25) AdU 17 Mary Joy Onofre Middle Blocker 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) (1997-05-28) May 28, 1997 (age 28) LPU 22 Ypril Tapia Outside Hitter 1.62 m (5 ft 4 in) (2001-12-15) December 15, 2001 (age 23) 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 Main article: 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference 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	Preliminary round	Final round	Ranking	Source
2024	All-Filipino	12th (0–11, 0 pts)	Did not qualify	12th place	[12]
	Reinforced	12th (0–8, 0 pts)	Did not qualify	12th place	[13]
	Invitational	Did not qualify
2024–25	All-Filipino	9th (4–7, 14 pts)	Lost in quarterfinals vs. Petro Gazz, 1–2	7th place	[14]
	PVL on Tour	5th (2–3, 7 pts) (Pool A)	Lost in quarterfinals vs. PLDT, 0–3*	7th place	[15]
	Invitational [a]	TBD
An asterisk (*) indicates single match

Notes

1. Despite not qualifying initially, Zus Coffee accepted the invitation to join the 2025 Invitational Conference.

Individual awards

PVLPC Rookie of the Year Thea Gagate – 2025 Rookie of the Conference Shayra Ancheta – 2024 Reinforced

1st Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate – 2024–25 All-Filipino

Team captains

• Dolly Verzosa (2024)
• Cloanne Mondoñedo (2024–present)

Head coach

• Rogelio Getigan (2024)
• Jerry Yee (2024–present)

Imports

• Asaka Tamaru ^[16] (2024)

References

1. "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.
2. Dannug, Jonash (January 13, 2024). "SGA takes over Gerflor in PVL". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
3. "PVL probes Gerflor over allegations of delayed salaries, mistreatment". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
4. "PVL puts Gerflor under investigation". Tiebreaker Times. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
5. Agcaoili, Lance (November 9, 2023). "Gerflor team playing through low morale in PVL amid financial woes". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
6. Dukha, Angel III (December 31, 2023). "Acaylar, disbanded Gerflor squad await their fates". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
7. "Strong Group joins PVL, takes over Gerflor franchise". GMA News. January 13, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
8. 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.
9. "Jerry Yee takes helm, picks up Benilde seniors to form Zus Coffee". Tiebreaker Times. May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
10. Bautista, Ohmer (February 15, 2024). "PVL: SGA tempers expectations with All-Filipino Conference lineup". One Sports. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
11. "PVL: Strong Group rebrands as Zus Coffee Thunderbelles and with Jerry Yee as new coach". One Sports. May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
12. "Akari cruises past Strong Group, finishes 7th". Premier Volleyball League. April 27, 2024. Archived from the original on April 27, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
13. "Creamline clinches No.3 seed, clobbers ZUS Coffee". Premier Volleyball League. August 22, 2024. Archived from the original on August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
14. "Petro Gazz stays cool under fire to sweep Zus Coffee, completes semis cast". Premier Volleyball League. March 25, 2025. Archived from the original on March 25, 2025. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
15. "PLDT cruises to semis behind Davison's return, net dominance" . Retrieved August 7, 2025.
16. "Kurashiki's Asaka Tamaru to strengthen Zus Coffee". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024.