ZUS Coffee rookie AC Miner during a PVL on Tour game against Capital1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MONTALBAN, Rizal — AC Miner is thriving back to playing her natural middle blocker position as she kicked off her pro career with impressive games for ZUS Coffee.
Miner dazzled with her best game yet as a pro with 18 points from 13 kills and five blocks to lead ZUS Coffee’s come-from-behind 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-18, 15-11 win over winless Capital1 for its first PVL on Tour win on Sunday at Ynares Center Montalban.
READ: PVL: AC Miner excited for ZUS Coffee team up with Thea Gagate
AC Miner after first two #PVLonTour games. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/dTW0x5HXFN
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 6, 2025
Jitters were inevitable for the Thunderbelles’ fifth overall pick, but thanks to the strong support of coach Jerry Yee and her veteran teammates, Miner was able to make the adjustments to help her squad bounce back from a five-set loss to Akari on Saturday and start their Pool B campaign with a 1-1 record.
“The feeling was very overwhelming at first, but today and yesterday, my coaches and teammates really became my support system. I’m feeling much better now in the pro level,” Miner told reporters in Filipino.
Miner relished her return to the middle position after being converted as an opposite hitter for Ateneo in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
“To be honest, it’s been challenging. Every day, I work in training to overcome those hurdles and fully get used to playing middle,” she said.
“It’s very different from college. I’m playing middle again, but I’m still adjusting, especially since it’s been less than a month since they drafted me.”
READ: PVL: AC Miner’s dad makes sure not to miss daughter’s special day
Playing a pair of five-setters to start her PVL career provided Miner with valuable lessons.
“Overall, it’s okay for us. We had back-to-back five-setters, but we got the win today. I think this team can go far this season,” said Miner, who sees a high ceiling for a ZUS side equipped with a good mix of veterans and young guns.
ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee and his staff are enjoying the process of developing their young squad, which made a big leap last All-Filipino Conference with a first-ever playoff appearance.
“It’s basically still volleyball, but it’s still challenging. The staff is eager to train and integrate the new players, and practices are longer now because of the many things we want to teach them. The coaches are really eager to teach, so it’s fun. Challenging, but fun,” Yee said.
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“We just have to focus on ourselves, our execution, and how we want to play. We’ll keep improving, and let’s see how it goes against whoever we face.”
ZUS Coffee heads to Passi, Iloilo to battle Creamline and Cignal on July 19 and 20, respectively.
