The year-ending Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference opened with a bang Tuesday night, as ZUS Coffee turned back Akari in a gripping five-set battle, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 25-24, 15-7, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

The much-anticipated return of international reinforcements was shelved after the Philippine National Volleyball Federation withheld endorsement of the required International Transfer Certificates (ITCs), despite complete and timely submissions from all parties involved – including the players’ federations and PVL clubs.

The absence of foreign imports, however, hardly dimmed the competition’s opening act. In fact, it gave local talent a rare spotlight – and they shone brightly.

In a match initially expected to be headlined by international players, it was the locals who stole the show, showcasing grit, skill and heart. Both squads brought out their best, as if to remind fans that the league’s core strength lies in the rising depth of Filipino volleyball.

Akari’s Eli Soyud and Chenie Tagaod led the offensive charge, while middles Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo held the frontline with resolve. On the other side, ZUS Coffee’s homegrown talents proved just as formidable. Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chinnie Arroyo, Riza Nogales and AC Miner rose to the occasion, combining for consistent production and momentum-shifting plays in every set.

In the fifth and deciding set, though, it was the Thunderbelles who surged with poise and precision, orchestrating a decisive 7-0 closing run to turn a shaky 8-7 edge into a runaway, morale-boosting win.

“Sobrang hirap mag-adjust. Parang lahat kami nangangapa kasi biglaan ‘yung balita na hindi pa pala p’wedeng maglaro ang imports,” said ZUS Coffee libero Alyssa Eroa, who earned Player of the Game honors after tallying 22 excellent digs. “Sanay na kaming kasama si Anna (DeBeer) sa rotation, kaya malaking adjustment talaga (It was really hard to adjust – we were all caught off guard when we found out last-minute that the imports weren’t allowed to play. We’ve gotten used to having Anna (DeBeer) with us, so it was a big adjustment).

From the first serve to the final whistle, the locals delivered a match that needed no foreign flavor to be exciting. Long rallies, jaw-dropping digs, well-timed blocks and ferocious attacks defined each set. With both teams refusing to yield, the crowd was treated to two hours and 18 minutes of pure, high-caliber local volleyball – a strong statement that the local talents can carry the league when called upon.

And when the match stretched into a deciding fifth set, the Thunderbelles seemed right at home – as if they had been waiting for this exact scenario.

ZUS Coffee has made a habit of embracing high-pressure moments, having gone through multiple five-set wars during the PVL On Tour. That experience paid off once again, as the Thunderbelles showed composure, chemistry and killer instinct when it mattered most.

Unlike many teams that falter under the weight of a marathon match, the Jerry Yee-coached Thunderbelles appear to thrive when pushed to the limit. Their familiarity with long games gave them an edge in stamina and mental fortitude – and it showed.

The momentum swung firmly in their favor after a pivotal challenge call midway through the final frame – a successful appeal that led to a replay of a critical point. Rather than allowing frustration or doubt to creep in, ZUS used the reset as fuel, unleashing a flurry of attacks to break the game wide open.

From a slim 9-7 lead – courtesy of Arroyo’s gritty kill on her third attempt – ZUS Coffee never looked back. Akari, previously composed, unraveled under the Thunderbelles’ relentless pressure. Two untimely attack errors by the Chargers opened the floodgates, before middle blocker Riza Nogales, thriving on perfectly timed sets from Cloanne Mondonedo, delivered back-to-back quick hits that widened the gap to 12-7.

Fiola Ceballos then hammered an ace, followed by another Nogales strike and yet another Ceballos service winner – the exclamation points to a fifth-set masterclass that saw ZUS Coffee score six unanswered points to seal the win.

In clutch moments, some teams crumble – but ZUS Coffee finds its rhythm.

Statistically, the game mirrored its tight nature. ZUS Coffee slightly edged Akari in attacks (64-62) and blocks (14-12), while the Chargers outserved their rivals, 7-6. Errors were nearly even, with Akari benefiting from 24 ZUS miscues, while committing 23 of their own.

Six Thunderbelles scored in double digits – a testament to the team’s balanced attack. Nogales paced the squad with 15 points, followed closely by Gonzaga and Arroyo with 14 apiece. Kate Santiago and AC Miner added 11 and 10, respectively.

Soyud led all scorers with 22 markers, while Tagaod chipped in 18. Sharma and Domingo combined for 22 points in a losing effort.

While the PVL and its fans continue to await the resolution of the ITC stalemate, the league has already proven one thing: its local talent pool is more than capable of delivering high-stakes, high-quality volleyball.

What was meant to be a showcase of imported power turned into a celebration of Filipino resilience, teamwork and rising talent. And if the opening salvo is any indication, fans are in for a wild, unpredictable ride – with or without reinforcements.