Cloanne Mondoñedo has become the heartbeat of ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ remarkable start in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference. The setter has orchestrated her team’s offense with precision, helping them remain the only undefeated squad after six matches.

Standout performances in crucial wins

Mondoñedo delivered 27 excellent sets and four points in a dramatic five-set comeback against Akari, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-12, 15-7, last Tuesday, Nov. 5, before adding 26 more excellent sets and three points in a 25-20, 25-22, 24-26, 25-19 win over Choco Mucho last Saturday, Nov. 9, in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

Her leadership on the court has earned her the unanimous PVL Press Corps Player of the Week award presented by Pilipinas Live for Nov. 4–8, recognizing her role in ZUS Coffee’s franchise-best 6-0 conference start and third-ever quarterfinals appearance.

Leadership through teamwork

For Mondoñedo, the challenge isn’t about lifting others—it’s about matching the high standards her teammates set. “Makikita mo rin naman kasi sila na talagang… alam mo yun? Magiging motivated ka rin naman because of them, kasi makikita mo rin naman talaga na gusto nilang manalo,” she said after the Choco Mucho game, which also featured a PVL record-tying 10-block performance from Maddie Madayag and seven blocks from Riza Nogales.

Mondoñedo becomes only the second local player to win this weekly award in the Reinforced Conference, following Cignal’s Erika Santos. She edged out notable performances from teammates Jovelyn Gonzaga and import Anna DeBeer, Capital1’s Sasha Bytsenko, Cignal’s KT Trebichavska, Creamline’s Coco Schwan, and PLDT’s Savi Davison.

Eyes on the finish line

Looking ahead, Mondoñedo emphasizes consistency as the Thunderbelles chase their first PVL championship. “Siguro gusto ko pa personally na kahit papano hindi na maging mahirap for us,” she said. “So ako personally, gusto kong gawing mas better pa yung trabaho ko para maging madali rin for them yung job nila.”

Already assured of a playoff berth, ZUS Coffee is aiming to complete an 8-0 elimination round sweep, starting against Cignal next Thursday, Nov. 14, before facing Nxled on Nov. 18.