Perennial Premier Volleyball League (PVL) cellar dweller ZUS Coffee received praises from Creamline's Alyssa Valdez after their grueling five-set match.
Formerly called Strong Group Athletics, ZUS Coffee put up a fight but fell 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 against the mighty Creamline last Thursday, Dec. 12.
The Cool Smashers were tested to the hilt before escaping with a narrow win against the young Thunderbelles.
Creamline star Valdez was in awe of the team's grit and admitted that the Cool Smashers have to give their best to solve the ZUS puzzle and avoid an upset.

'[This win] It's not something that we're proud of since it extended into five sets. Knowing ZUS they brought their A game today. They played so well, we're just very happy and blessed that we won, and it's anybody's game, especially in that fifth set, we're lucky we got it,' Valdez said.
Despite the five-set scare, a champion like Valdez appreciates a good challenge.