Zus Coffee Thunderbelles


The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles are a professional women's volleyball team in the Philippines competing in the Premier Volleyball League. The team is owned by Strong Group Athletics, founded by Frank Lao, who has a stake in the Malaysian-based coffee chain Zus Coffee.
The team made their team debut in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference under the name Strong Group Athletics following the organization's take over of the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders franchise. The Thunderbelles are one of two teams owned by SGA, the other being the Farm Fresh Foxies.

History

Background

During the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders were put under investigation by the league due to financial issues. The roster's unpaid salaries were eventually settled by Strong Group Athletics, backers of the Farm Fresh Foxies. On January 13, 2024, it was announced that the organization would take over the Gerflor franchise beginning with the 2024 Premier Volleyball League season, and were established as the organization's second team after Farm Fresh. The day after, SGA founder Frank Lao announced that the team will be named Strong Group Athletics, following the success of the eponymous basketball team.

First seasons

They made their PVL debut at the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, with Rogelio Getigan named as the team's first head coach.
In May 27, 2024, the team announced that it would rebrand to the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles following Strong Group Athletics' partnership with Zus Coffee, a Malaysian coffee brand in which Lao has a stake in. They also announced that Jerry Yee, head coach of the Benilde Lady Blazers volleyball team, would succeed Getigan as head coach beginning with the 2024 Reinforced conference. On June 24, Zus Coffee won the first overall pick in the inaugural PVL draft lottery, which they used to select Thea Gagate during the 2024 Premier Volleyball League draft.
In the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference, the Thunderbelles reached the quarterfinals for the first time. The team won the first match of the best-of-three series against the Petro Gazz Angels, but lost the next two and were eliminated. Zus Coffee reached their first ever PVL finals at the 2025 Reinforced Conference. They lost the bid for a tournament title against the Petro Gazz Angels.

Names

  • Strong Group Athletics
  • Zus Coffee Thunderbelles

    Current roster

Season-by-season records

; Notes

Individual awards

; PVLPC Rookie of the Year
  • Thea Gagate – 2025
; Best Setter
; Rookie of the Conference
; 1st Best Middle Blocker
; 2nd Best Middle Blocker
;Best Foreign Guest Player
  • Anna DeBeer — 2025 Reinforced

    Team captains

  • Dolly Verzosa
  • Cloanne Mondoñedo

    Head coach

  • Rogelio Getigan
  • Jerry Yee

    Former players

  • Danivah Aying
  • Dolly Versoza
  • Gayle Pascual
  • Julia Angeles
  • Michelle Gamit
  • Shayra Ancheta

    Drafts

Imports

  • Asaka Tamaru
  • Anna DeBeer