DASMARINAS, Cavite – Anna DeBeer made up for lost time – and then some.

After being sidelined in ZUS Coffee’s first outing due to ITC issues that postponed the debut of foreign reinforcements, DeBeer burst onto the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference scene in spectacular fashion, firing off a scintillating 37-point performance to power the Thunderbelles past Chery Tiggo, 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, Saturday at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.

It was just a point shy of the mark set by Farm Fresh’s Eli Rousseaux, who erupted for 38 points in their four-set triumph over Nxled. Still, it was every bit as powerful and impactful – delivered through a dazzling variety of hits, none more electrifying than the final kill that sealed the one-hour, 52-minute victory, sending the packed crowd into a frenzy.

“It’s just awesome. I give all the credit to my teammates,” said DeBeer, a standout from the University of Louisville. “Since I arrived, they’ve been incredibly welcoming, and playing in front of a crowd like this – it doesn’t get much better.”

The match appeared headed for a deciding fifth set after the EV Crossovers bravely clawed back from three 10-point deficits – the last at 7-17 – narrowing the gap to just one on two occasions. The final push came on a powerful hit by Yuni Batista that saved a match point, making it 23-24.

But the Thunderbelles calmly received Seth Rodriguez’s serve, setting up DeBeer for the decisive kill – a fitting end to a thrilling contest.

Asked about the atmosphere, with the majority of the crowd rallying behind the Thunderbelles, the American outside hitter, who also finished with 14 excellent receptions, added: “Volleyball is a game of momentum, so having the crowd behind us really makes a difference. It’s amazing to play in an environment like this.”

With the victory, ZUS Coffee pulled even with Petro Gazz in Pool B standings after the Angels swept the Galeries Tower Highrisers last Thursday. The win was also a strong statement that the second-year squad is ready to contend with the league’s top-tier teams.

Middle blocker AC Miner backed up DeBeer with a solid 13-point performance, while Kate Santiago contributed seven markers in a two-set stint. Fiola Ceballos added five points, with Riza Nogales and Thea Gagate chipping in four apiece with the latter also seeing action in the last two sets.

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chinnie Arroyo rounded out the scoring with three points each.

With DeBeer leading the offensive charge, ZUS Coffee outgunned Chery Tiggo, 68–51, despite the Crossovers finishing with more blocks, 8–6.

Batista also turned in an impressive 22-point effort but couldn’t quite match DeBeer’s explosiveness. Ara Galang delivered 15 points, while Cess Robles added nine. However, the PVL On Tour runners-up struggled to contain the Thunderbelles’ late-set surge, falling short despite a valiant comeback attempt late in the fourth.

Like Rousseaux, DeBeer was unstoppable, putting on a virtual hitting clinic in the opening set with a dynamic mix of power spikes, smart placements, and backrow attacks. Although she was momentarily slowed down in Set 2 by Chery Tiggo’s improved net defense, DeBeer returned with a vengeance in the crucial third and fourth sets, steering the Thunderbelles to their first win in the import-laced conference backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa and Fabriano.

It was a breakout game that signaled more than just a bounce-back win – it underscored DeBeer’s immense promise as a star import. Unleashing her full arsenal after being sidelined due to International Transfer Certificate delays, the former University of Louisville standout immediately proved she belongs among the PVL’s elite.

She finished with nine points in the first set alone, showcasing her versatility with a mix of thunderous hits, soft touches, and calculated angles. By the final whistle, her 36-point eruption had not only ignited ZUS Coffee’s campaign but also turned heads across the league.

In Set 1, the Thunderbelles capitalized on Chery Tiggo’s erratic passing, dominating the attack line 17-10 and shutting the door with a 3-0 block edge. But the Crossovers regrouped in the second set, stymieing DeBeer with tighter coverage and scoring four kill blocks to none, behind the inspired return of Mylene Paat, who delivered three late-set points, including two crucial markers that gave Chery Tiggo a 21-15 cushion.

Still, it was DeBeer’s night. With momentum swinging back in the third, she cranked up the intensity once more, leading the Thunderbelles to seize control and close out the match with poise and power.

In a league filled with established names and high-powered imports, DeBeer is quickly carving her own lane. What sets her apart is not just her scoring prowess, but her ability to adapt mid-game, adjust to defensive schemes and deliver under pressure.