By Jean Malanum
MANILA – ZUS Coffee captain Cloanne Mondoñedo was named Player of the Week on Sunday for helping the Thunderbelles reach the quarterfinal round of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Most Valuable Player produced 24 excellent sets to go with 2 points as ZUS Coffee downed Cignal, 19-25, 25-23, 25-20, 23-25, 15-12, in its play-in campaign at PhilSports Arena in Pasig on March 11.
Mondoñedo excelled again Thursday, delivering 24 excellent sets and six points in their 25-22, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17 win over Capital1.
“Everyone really wants to get into the play-ins and I also get motivation from my teammates because I see that they want it, too. So me, I’m really doing my best to do my job well for the team,” Mondoñedo, who earned the weekly honor given by the PVL Press Corps for the period March 11 to 15, said.
“I’m super happy and proud because everyone worked hard to get here and also, everyone really contributed,” the College of Saint Benilde graduate added.
Mondoñedo beat teammate Chai Troncoso, Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina, Akari’s Ivy Lacsina, Chery Tiggo’s Ara Galang, and Nxled’s Chiara Permentilla for the weekly distinction.
She is the first NCAA product to claim the Player of the Week award, which was deliberated by print and online journalists covering the league.
Expect the Thunderbelles to go all-out when they face No. 2 Petro Gazz Angels in a best-of-three quarterfinals starting Tuesday.
“For me, this is really a fight because this is what we want. That’s why we are here to fight and show everyone our skills,” the 24-year-old Mondoñedo said. (PNA)
