Zus Coffee Thunderbelles: Difference between revisions

Zus Coffee Thunderbelles
Short name	Zus Coffee
Nickname	Thunderbelles
Founded	2024
Owner	Strong Group Athletics
Head coach	Jerry Yee
Captain	Dolly Verzosa (JRU)
League	Premier Volleyball League
2024 All-Filipino	12th place

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Revision as of 01:17, 14 July 2024

The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles (stylized as ZUS Coffee) are a professional women's volleyball team in the Philippines that made their team debut in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference under the name Strong Group.

Strong Group Athletics of Frank Lao also backs the Farm Fresh Foxies of the PVL. The Thunderbelles are currently named after Malaysian-based coffee chain Zus Coffee, a brand which Lao is also an investor of.^[1]

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

Zus Coffee Thunderbelles
No.	Player	Position	Height	Birth date	School
1	Michelle Gamit	Middle Blocker	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)		Benilde
2	Ypril Tapia	Outside Hitter	1.62 m (5 ft 4 in)	(2001-12-15) December 15, 2001 (age 22)	UST
3	Thea Gagate	Middle Blocker	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)	(2000-07-06) July 6, 2000 (age 24)	DLSU
4	Jean Licauco	Libero	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)	(2001-05-18) May 18, 2001 (age 23)	ADMU
5	Noheli Cerdeña	Middle Blocker	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)	(1999-01-15) January 15, 1999 (age 25)	UPSHD
6	Sarah Verutiao	Setter	1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)	(1996-04-25) April 25, 1996 (age 28)	AU
7	Justine Rebleza	Outside Hitter	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)	(1998-11-27) November 27, 1998 (age 25)	FEU
8	Javen Sabas	Outside Hitter	1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)	(1999-01-31) January 31, 1999 (age 25)	PUP
9	Gayle Pascual	Opposite Hitter	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)	September 3, 1999 (age 24)	Benilde
12	Vira Guillema	Setter	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)	(1995-05-09) May 9, 1995 (age 29)	SSC–R
14	Dolly Versoza (C)	Outside Hitter	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)	(1998-03-10) March 10, 1998 (age 26)	JRU
17	Mary Joy Onofre	Middle Blocker	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1997-05-28) May 28, 1997 (age 27)	LPU
18	Grenlen Malapit	Middle Blocker	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)	(1997-08-18) August 18, 1997 (age 27)	LPU
19	Nikkie Baldizanso	Middle Blocker	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)	(2002-02-16) February 16, 2002 (age 22)	UP
20	Lilet Mabbayad	Middle Blocker	1.74 m (5 ft 9 in)	(1987-09-16) September 16, 1987 (age 37)	UST
	Jade Gentapa	Outside Hitter	1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)	November 28, 2000 (age 23)	Benilde
	Cloanne Mondoñedo	Setter	1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)	(2000-11-16) November 16, 2000 (age 23)	Benilde
	Asaka Tamaru (I)	Opposite Hitter	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)	(1998-08-04) August 4, 1998 (age 26)	Kyoto Sangyo University

Coaching staff
Position	Name
Head Coach	Jerry Yee
Assistant Coach 1	Jay Chua
Assistant Coach 2	Justine Dorog
Strength and Conditioning Coach	TBA
Trainer	TBA
Physiotherapist	Christine Magtibay
Team Manager	Jacob Lao

Previous roster

2024

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
Trainer
Physiotherapist	Christine Magtibay
Team Manager	Jacob Lao

Honors

Season	Conference	Title	Source
2024	All-Filipino	12th place	^[12]
2024	Reinforced	^{[to be determined]}

Team captains

Dolly Verzosa (2024–present)

Head coach

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

Imports

Asaka Tamaru ^[13] (2024)

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.
^ Times, Tiebreaker (November 9, 2023). "PVL puts Gerflor under investigation". Tiebreaker Times. 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.
^ "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.
^ "Kurashiki's Asaka Tamaru to strengthen Zus Coffee". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024.

[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.

[sga-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] Times, Tiebreaker (November 9, 2023). "PVL puts Gerflor under investigation". Tiebreaker Times. 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.

[thankful-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.

[yee-takes-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] "Kurashiki's Asaka Tamaru to strengthen Zus Coffee". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved June 25, 2024.

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@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 |- align=center
-| ||align=left|{{flagicon|PHI}} Michelle Gamit||Middle Blocker||{{convert|1.75|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} || ||[[De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde|Benilde]]
+| 1 ||align=left|{{flagicon|PHI}} Michelle Gamit||Middle Blocker||{{convert|1.75|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} || ||[[De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde|Benilde]]
  |- align=center
 | {{sort|2|2}} ||align=left|{{flagicon|PHI}} Ypril Tapia ||Outside Hitter||{{convert|1.62|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} ||align=right|{{Birth date and age|2001|12|15}} ||[[University of Santo Tomas|UST]]
-align=center
+|- align=center
-| ||align=left|{{flagicon|PHI}} Michelle Gamit||Middle Blocker||{{convert|1.75|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} || ||[[De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde|Benilde]]
+| 3 ||align=left|{{flagicon|PHI}} [[Thea Gagate]]||Middle Blocker||{{convert|1.88|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} || align=right|{{Birth date and age|2000|7|6}} ||[[De La Salle University|DLSU]]
 |-align=center
 |{{sort|04|4}}||align=left|{{flagicon|PHI}} Jean Licauco||Libero||{{convert|1.67|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} || align=right|{{Birth date and age|2001|5|18}} || [[Ateneo de Manila University|ADMU]]