All news tagged ACMiner

AC Miner led the charge as the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles extended their winning streak with a commanding sweep of the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-22, 25-16, 25-16, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday, October 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Miner earned Player of the Game honors after posting 10 points built on 7 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block, showcasing her all-around efficiency and composure at the net. Her presence on both offense and defense set the tone early, helping ZUS Coffee establish control and maintain momentum throughout the match.

With the victory, ZUS Coffee improved to 2-0 in Pool B, solidifying its early position as one of the top contenders in the conference. Miner’s steady leadership and consistent play continue to be key factors in the Thunderbelles’ unbeaten start.

ZUS Coffee will next face the Creamline Cool Smashers on Thursday, October 23, at the FilOil EcoOil Arena.

Even without their American import Anna DeBeer, ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles proved their mettle, grinding out a thrilling five-set victory over the Akari Chargers, 24–26, 25–23, 17–25, 26–24, 15–7, in the opening day of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday night, October 7, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

The Thunderbelles displayed remarkable depth and teamwork, with six players scoring in double digits to overcome a 1–2 deficit and clinch the season’s first five-set classic. Despite the absence of imports on both sides due to pending international clearances, ZUS Coffee maintained its composure and found ways to execute under pressure.

Rookie middle blocker AC Miner, who played a pivotal role in the team’s fourth-set turnaround, shared that the group focused on staying grounded and maximizing their chemistry. 

She said the team had been working hard to build connection with the setters and among the middles, which paid off when it mattered most. Miner admitted it took her some time to find her rhythm, but credited her teammates for keeping the team composed and resilient until they forced a deciding set.

The final two quarterfinal spots are on the line today, August 5, as the PVL On Tour returns to the Philsports Arena in Pasig for a pivotal doubleheader.

Reigning All-Filipino champions Petro Gazz Angels take on the Akari Chargers at 4 PM, followed by a high-stakes clash between the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at 6:30 PM.

Both Petro Gazz and Akari had inconsistent performances during the eliminations, but each showed flashes of brilliance in their recent outings. The Angels stunned the Flying Titans in four sets last July 29 in Candon, Ilocos Sur, while the Chargers swept the Capital1 Solar Spikers back on July 15 at the Playtime FilOil Centre.

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.”

Ateneo de Manila University claimed its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament by sweeping the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18, in their Battle of Katipunan matchup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The Blue Eagles took a commanding 18-9 lead in the third set before UP managed to score three consecutive points to stop the run. 

However, Sobe Buena sparked a late rally, helping Ateneo push the score to 23-17. An AC Miner block then set up the match point, and although Niña Ytang managed to save one match point, Buena sealed the victory for Ateneo.

Buena, who had been limited in Ateneo’s first two losses due to injury recovery, made a strong return just when her team needed her most, leading with 17 points from 15-of-27 attacking efficiency. 

Team captain Lyann de Guzman also played a key role, scoring 14 markers with 12 attacks and two aces, while experienced blocker AC Miner added 12 points, including seven attacks, four blocks, and one ace.

Shaina Nitura unleashed a record game debut to lead Adamson to a thrilling reverse sweep over Ateneo de Manila University, 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, February 16, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The homegrown Adamson product reset the UAAP scoring record for a rookie in her debut game as she unloaded 33 points anchored on 28 attacks, four blocks, and one ace, while also grabbing five digs and seven receptions. 

Despite Nitura surpassing the record previously set by University of Santo Tomas’s Angge Poyos, who fired 31 markers last season, she downplayed the achievement.