Zam Nolasco may have closed her collegiate career in heartbreak, but the mission remains the same in the pro ranks.
After falling short of a fifth straight NCAA championship with the Benilde Lady Blazers, the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player is now bringing the same winning mindset to the professional stage with the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles.
Reuniting with longtime head coach Jerry Yee, Nolasco hopes to continue what they built in college as they begin a new chapter together in the PVL.
“Parang sinabihan niya po ako during training dito sa Zus. Sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Dito na lang kami kumuha ng championship,’ which is okay,” Nolasco shared.
“Makakabawi pa ako kasi marami pa namang time para mag-prepare at marami pang games kami na pagsasamahan ni coach.”
How Zam Nolasco Ended Up at Zus Coffee
Zam Nolasco joined Zus Coffee ahead of the 2026 PVL On Tour after previously suiting up for the Farm Fresh Foxies in 2023 through a Games and Amusements Board-issued special guest player license.
That stint made her exempt from the PVL Rookie Draft, allowing her to sign directly with the Thunderbelles and reunite with Yee after her collegiate career.
“Same lang din po ng coach sa college, tapos same lang sa pro, so parang direct na po talaga. Pinag-usapan na rin namin ni Coach Je na ayun yung plano after college. Ayun po, okay naman po siya sa akin,” she said.
Having already experienced PVL competition during her time with Farm Fresh, Nolasco said the adjustment to becoming a full-time professional player has been easier.
“’Di naman po sobrang pressured kasi na-experience ko na po siya before. Malaking bagay na po ‘yan sa akin. Na-experience ko na yung PVL, so I know na ganito yung feeling, ganito yung makipaglaro sa ibang pro,” Nolasco said.
“Sa teammates, wala kasi kilala ko naman po sila. Noong college ako, parang nakakalaro na rin po namin yung ZUS sa tune-up.”
Just MVP Things From Zam Nolasco
Nolasco wasted no time showing what she could bring to her new team, delivering 15 points on 11 attacks and 4 blocks in her Zus Coffee debut.
Her performance helped the Thunderbelles take down the Akari Chargers, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, to open their PVL on Tour campaign at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.
After a promising start, Zam Nolasco hopes to continue growing into a steady presence for ZUS Coffee as she looks to chase another championship—this time on the professional stage.
