By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Anna DeBeer delivered a standout performance in her overseas debut, exploding for 37 points to power ZUS Coffee to a 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23 victory over Chery Tiggo in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the City of Dasmariñas Arena on Saturday, Oct. 11.
The 5-foot-11 American spiker, who played for Indy Ignite in the Major Volleyball League after graduating from the University of Louisville, torched the net with 35 kills as the Thunderbelles notched their first official victory in the league.
DeBeer admitted she wasn’t putting any pressure prior to entering her first international stint.
“It’s just incredible. For a first game, I really had no expectations coming here. It makes the anticipation higher and more exciting,” she said.
ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee said he wasn’t surprised with DeBeer’s explosive performance.
“We see this in practice so ganyan talaga yung performance nya, talagang power. Malakas talaga siya,” he said.
Yee added he also experimented with their rotation, which bore fruit.
“May mga hinahabol tayong rotation. Probably nahuli natin nang konti with some of our rotations that went in our favor,” he said.
AC Miner also delivered 13 points built on 10 attacks and three blocks for the Thunderbelles, while Cloanne Mondonedo provided a variety of plays with 22 excellent sets.
DeBeer’s stunning debut outshone the efforts of veteran Cuban spiker Yunieska Batista, who scored 22 points in a losing cause for the Crossovers.
Ara Galang also pumped in 15 points on 12 kills and three blocks, but her efforts went futile.
