ZUS Coffee Stuns Chery Tiggo in Five-Set Thriller, Paves Creamline’s Golden Path to Quarterfinals…Read More…
In a match packed with high-octane drama, clutch performances, and an underdog narrative that could only be scripted in sports, ZUS Coffee delivered a stunning five-set victory over powerhouse Chery Tiggo, shaking up the league standings and handing Creamline an unexpected but welcomed ticket to the quarterfinals.
Held at the jam-packed Philsports Arena, the showdown on Monday night saw ZUS Coffee dig deep into their reserves of resilience and grit to emerge victorious with a 25-21, 19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13 triumph. The upset not only jolted Chery Tiggo’s campaign but also set off a ripple effect, as Creamline—previously teetering on the edge of playoff qualification—secured an automatic berth into the quarterfinals, thanks to the result.
ZUS Coffee Rises to the Occasion
Coming into the match, few would have expected ZUS Coffee, a squad still finding its rhythm in the league, to go toe-to-toe with the veteran-laden Chery Tiggo side. But right from the first serve, it was clear that this wasn’t just another outing for the coffee-fueled underdogs.
ZUS Coffee opened strong, with middle blocker Rina Jimenez asserting her presence at the net and outside hitter Allie Santos delivering searing spikes from both wings. The team’s energy was palpable, as they took the opening set 25-21, setting the tone for what would become a back-and-forth battle.
Chery Tiggo responded in kind, leaning on the star power of their lead attacker EJ Laure and setter Jasmine Nabor to regroup and dominate the next two sets. Their 25-19 and 25-21 victories looked to quell any thoughts of an upset, but ZUS Coffee refused to wilt.
“We came in with nothing to lose,” said ZUS Coffee coach Leo Ramos. “Our mindset was simple—fight for every ball and show the league who we really are.”
The Comeback That Shook the Arena
With their backs against the wall in the fourth set, ZUS Coffee found a new gear. Libero Mika Tan made key digs that kept plays alive, while opposite hitter Gela Rodriguez found her rhythm, firing away from the back row and forcing Chery Tiggo’s defense into disarray. The set was tightly contested until ZUS Coffee pulled away in the final stretch, clinching it 25-22 to force a decider.
The fifth set was a nail-biter from start to finish. Neither side gave an inch, trading points amid deafening roars from the crowd. At 13-all, it was a service ace from Santos and a monster block from Jimenez that sealed the deal for ZUS Coffee, sending their bench into wild celebrations.
“This win means everything,” said team captain Camille Reyes. “People doubted us, but we believed in each other. That’s what carried us through.”
Chery Tiggo Left Reeling
For Chery Tiggo, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. The team, considered one of the frontrunners for the title, now faces a steeper path in the playoff race. Coach Aaron Velez was candid in his post-match remarks.
“We lost our composure in key moments,” he admitted. “ZUS Coffee played with more heart. We have to own this loss and regroup quickly.”
EJ Laure, who finished with a game-high 24 points, was visibly frustrated but vowed to come back stronger.
“This isn’t the end for us,” she said. “We’ve been in tough situations before. We’ll learn from this and bounce back.”
Creamline Benefits from the Chaos
While ZUS Coffee soaked in their victory and Chery Tiggo regrouped, the happiest team by far may have been Creamline. The Cool Smashers, who had been sweating over their playoff fate, clinched a spot in the quarterfinals without lifting a finger—thanks to ZUS Coffee’s upset.
Creamline’s captain Alyssa Valdez took to social media shortly after the game to express her gratitude:
“Much love and respect to ZUS Coffee! You guys earned that win! See you all in the QFs! 💪💜”
Fans quickly dubbed ZUS Coffee as Creamline’s “accidental heroes,” with memes and posts flooding volleyball forums and social media platforms.
League-Wide Reverberations
The result significantly alters the playoff picture. ZUS Coffee’s upset adds new layers of intrigue to the remaining games, as teams now scramble for seeding and survival.
Analysts were quick to note how the performance reshapes perception.
“ZUS Coffee just went from being a fun team to watch to a legitimate threat,” said volleyball analyst and former national player Gretchen Ho. “This win will give them immense confidence moving forward.”
What’s Next
ZUS Coffee will look to build on this momentum as they face Akari in their next fixture, while Chery Tiggo will aim to recover and avoid another slip-up as they meet Cignal HD.
If Monday night’s drama is any indication, fans are in for an electrifying end to the season.
Final Score:
ZUS Coffee def. Chery Tiggo
Set Scores: 25-21, 19-25, 21-25, 25-22, 15-13
Player of the Match:
Allie Santos – 20 points (16 attacks, 3 aces, 1 block)
In sports, upsets are the spice that makes the game unforgettable. On this night, ZUS Coffee not only brewed a surprise—they served it hot, strong, and unforgettable.
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