The Zus Coffee Thunderbelles. PVL Media Bureau

ANTIPOLO CITY (UPDATED) – Zus Coffee has finally earned its first franchise win in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

The Thunderbelles ended a 20-game long streak across three conferences on Tuesday by beating Nxled, 19-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15, at the Ynares Center here.

Holding a 2-1 lead, the Thunderbelles started strong in the fourth canto, cruising to a 16-5 separation.

The Chameleons still put up one last fight, conniving for seven unanswered points to close in at 22-15, but Gayle Pascual fired a personal 3-0 run to clinch the Zus Coffee win.

It was also their way of entering into the win column of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference after falling to the 2024 Reinforced Conference runners-up Akari Chargers in their season-opener five days ago.

READ: PVL: Akari overcomes debuting Gagate, ZUS Coffee for 2nd win

Zus Coffee coach Jerry Yee said he's always proud of the team whenever it wins or loses.

"Proud sa team? I’m always proud. Kahit talo kami, proud naman ako sa kanila. Hindi ko nga napansin na first win namin eh. Masaya, very proud, and hopefully, magtuloy-tuloy," Yee said during the postgame press conference.

Veteran Jov Gonzaga led the young squad, logging 23 points built on 20 attacks and three blocks, while prized rookie Thea Gagate helped with a 16-piece on a whopping five blocks and 10 attacks.

READ: PVL: Thea Gagate embraces high expectations in the pros

Banking on the support of their experienced recruits, Yee said they're only getting started.

"We’re only starting. Kahit nu’ng first conference namin, we had a few months to train. Kahit naman itong All-Filipino, kahit papano parang late additions din ‘yung mga veterans," said Yee.

"[The veterans] complement the young energy ng mga bata. Paminsan kasi, you just don’t teach slowing down. Tinatanong ko nga kina Jov, saan ba nabibili ‘yan eh."

Chiara Permentilla paced the losing Nxled side, which is now at 0-2, with a team-high 19 points on 17 attacks, one block and an ace.