AC Miner registers career-high in denying Chery Tiggo QF berth

Rookie sensation AC Miner continued her emergence as the centerpiece of ZUS Coffee’s campaign, powering the Thunderbelles to a gutsy 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 15-6 comeback win over Chery Tiggo in the PVL On Tour Tuesday night, July 29, at the Candon Arena in Ilocos Sur.

The No. 5 overall pick proved once again why she is considered the future of the team, erupting for a game-high 19 points—seven of them in a pivotal fourth set that swung momentum back to ZUS Coffee’s side and set up the deciding frame.

Miner, also tallying four blocks, then teamed up with Chinnie Arroyo to ignite a blistering 9-3 start in the fifth set, dealing a heavy blow to the Crossovers’ outright quarterfinal hopes and forging a three-way tie at 3-2 in Pool B.

“I think our biggest weapon was not giving up, especially that fourth set,” said Miner, who finished with 15 attacks and four blocks. “If we didn’t give it our all there, the match would’ve been over. But we pushed until the end.”

Head coach Jerry Yee didn’t hold back his praise for the former Ateneo middle blocker.

“She’s different. It’s only recently that we’re starting to really bring out her game,” said Yee in Filipino. “Hopefully, she keeps it going.”

With the win, ZUS Coffee forced Chery Tiggo into the knockout round, finishing tied with idle Creamline. The Cool Smashers advanced with the highest points total (10), while the Crossovers (9) and Thunderbelles (7) must now battle for quarterfinal spots.

ZUS Coffee will next face Choco Mucho, while Chery Tiggo goes up against the winless Galeries Highrisers.

Despite her consistent performances, Miner remains focused on growth as the team enters the most crucial phase of the tournament.

“I’d say there’s still a lot to improve on. Volleyball doesn’t stop at just a couple of wins or points,” she said. “The fight continues for me, and for the team every single game.”

Miner also credited her teammates for stepping up in the tense encounter. 

Clo Mondoñedo orchestrated the offense masterfully with 36 excellent sets and two points. Kate Santiago added 13 markers and 12 digs off the bench, Arroyo tallied 11, Chai Troncoso contributed 10 points and 13 receptions, and Fiola Ceballos chipped in with seven points.

“Our player pool is really solid,” Miner said. “There are times coach (Yee) makes subs to shift momentum and be more effective, and as you saw today, it worked well for us.”

Despite a valiant effort from third-round pick Peñafiel—who dropped a career-high 19 points and 14 excellent receptions—Chery Tiggo’s hopes of an outright quarterfinal seat slipped away.