Peaking at the right time, ZUS Coffee dismantled another league big shot in Petro Gazz, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25 to seize control of their quarterfinal series Tuesday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Jovelyn Gonzaga unleashed the assassin’s blow by deflecting Myla Pablo’s attack at match point as the Thunderbelles continued to decisively roll for three consecutive games in these playoffs.

“I’m shocked with this straight-set win. It was really a total team effort, the coaching staff and the players,’’ said Gonzaga after the kill block that put the Thunderbelles a victory away from a first appearance in the semifinals.

LIVE: PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals – March 18

Chai Troncoso led ZUS with 14 points built around nine attacks and had four blocks while Thea Gagate had seven hits out of 10 points plus three deflections as they compiled 11 blocks throughout in frustrating the second-ranked Angels.

“Blocking is the first line of defense and it changes the game a lot. I hope we continue to become consistent with it,’’ said ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee.

ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles’ Chai Troncoso during the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Thunderbelles rose from a team with a losing record after sweeping the play-in tournament for the right to face the Angels.

Mich Gamit delivered 10 points, including six attacks, that went along with two blocks and a pair of aces, Gonzaga had 10 points and setter Clo Mondonedo tossed in 18 excellent sets in a game where they nearly squandered the third set.

READ: PVL: Thea Gagate happy with ZUS Coffee showing ahead of quarters

Following a lightning-quick blow in the opening set, the Thunderbelles sustained the assault in the next as Gagate bore holes in the Petro Gazz defense.

Gagate slammed it down to a doughnut hole zone, putting them two points away from securing Set 2, but the Angels refused to easily go away.

Undaunted by a seven-point deficit, Pablo engineered a strong fightback for the Angels, who scored six straight points by patiently delivering the needed kills and cashing in on ZUS Coffee’s miscues.

Brooke Van Sickle hammered one right down the middle as the Angels pulled within 23-24 before Mondonedo restored order on ZUS territory with a perfectly timed setup for a Gamit smash at set point.

Van Sickle powered the Angels by hitting eight of her 18 points in the third set as they evenly matched the Thunderbelles’ firepower for a long stretch that reached the final deadlock at 25.

Pablo, who also helped brought the Angels to life in the deciding frame, then misfired a crosscourt hit and got stymied in the next sequence by a Gonzaga wall at the net.