In a tournament where clutch play and endurance often separate contenders from pretenders, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles continued to thrive in high-pressure situations, this time in their most electrifying comeback yet.

Rallying from a daunting two-set deficit, the Thunderbelles once again proved their mettle in do-or-die conditions, outlasting a visibly rattled Choco Mucho squad, 22-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-10, to snatch the last quarterfinal berth in the PVL On Tour Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The win wasn’t just a testament to their grit a d resilience – it was the culmination of a pattern that has defined their campaign – thriving in deciders.

It was their fourth five-set triumph in the pre-season tourney organized by Sports Vision, but this one stood out – not only for the caliber of the opponent but for the gravity of the moment. It marked the first time the Thunderbelles had pulled off a reverse sweep after trailing 0-2, a feat that further cemented their image as the league’s most resilient and dangerous underdog.

“Walang magsasawa, five sets lagi,” said Chinnie Arroyo with a grin, when asked about the team’s growing affinity for extended matches. Once a squad that struggled to close out tight games, ZUS Coffee has transformed into a team that seems to grow stronger the longer a match stretches.

Their unrelenting stamina, mental toughness and ever-improving cohesion are becoming their identity under coach Jerry Yee – a stark contrast to their early struggles in the league.

Arroyo once again rose to the occasion, powering the Thunderbelles with a 21-point explosion, most of which came in the pivotal third set, igniting the team’s surge and eventually leading to their strong finish.

But the high-flying spiker was quick to deflect the credit.

“Aral at training,” she said, referring not only to their upcoming matchup against unbeaten top seed PLDT but also to the steady progress that’s turning them into serious semifinal threats.

Veteran leader Jovelyn Gonzaga played the stabilizer yet again, scoring 16 points and anchoring the defense with seven excellent digs. She sparked the decisive fifth set with a hit off a block touch and never looked back, delivering four more clutch points that helped break Choco Mucho’s resistance.

Rookie AC Miner also came up big with 14 points, including four crucial blocks, while Fiola Ceballos and Kate Santiago added 10 markers each, keeping the fire burning when Arroyo rotated to the back and returned to the bench.

Crucial to ZUS Coffee’s five-set wizardry is the steady hand of Cloanne Mondonedo. As the stakes rose, so did her brilliance, delivering 22 excellent sets and executing deceptive reverse plays that consistently caught Choco Mucho’s defense off-guard.

Her ability to spread the offense and keep the Flying Titans guessing was vital in unlocking their vaunted net defense.

Meanwhile, Isa Molde’s much-awaited return from injury was bittersweet. The former UP star sizzled with 27 points, while Royse Tubino added 17 markers to help Choco Mucho build a 2-0 lead.

Rookie Ayehas Juegos and Cherry Nunag combined for 21 points, and Deanna Wong dished out 18 excellent sets, but the Flying Titans couldn’t sustain their momentum as ZUS Coffee flipped the switch in Set 3 and never looked back.

With the win, ZUS Coffee moved on to face the undefeated PLDT High Speed Hitters in a knockout quarterfinal duel – arguably their toughest test yet. But given how they’ve embraced the pressure and have mastered the art of surviving and thriving in marathon matches, it’s clear the Thunderbelles are no longer just a surprise package. They’re a legitimate threat.

ZUS Coffee staved off elimination with a spirited third set performance, sparked by Arroyo’s sudden eruption that powered the Foxies to a 12-8 lead. Arroyo hammered in kill after kill to the delight of the ZUS Coffee faithful – and to the visible frustration of Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, who had hoped for a sweep to shift focus on their looming quarterfinal clash against unbeaten top seed PLDT.

But Arroyo – and the rest of the Foxies – had other plans.

Unleashing her trademark power blasts with eerie consistency, Arroyo torched Choco Mucho’s defense and ignited a wave of energy that spread to Miner and the rest of the squad. Gonzaga, subbing in for Santiago late in the set, added a crafty push to bring Farm Fresh to set point at 24-16.

Miner then sealed the frame with a resounding block that shut down Choco Mucho’s final attack, keeping the Foxies’ slim hopes alive.

With Arroyo, who piled up 80 points in pool play, leading the charge, the Foxies dominated in attacks, 64-56, and won in blocks, 16-13.