Top overall pick Thea Gagate is eager to prove her worth after making her much-awaited debut for ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night.
The Thunderbelles may have fallen short in their opening game, losing to Akari in a hard-fought, four-set affair, 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, but the 6-foot-2 Gagate was able to provide everyone a glimpse of what’s in store for the young squad through her stellar debut.
“As a rookie, syempre gusto ko lang mapakita kung anong kaya ko. Although I’ve already shown it sa collegiate days, pero ito ilang level na ‘to so I just wanna keep on improving myself,” Gagate told reporters after the defeat.
“Especially sa lahat ng skills, since I’m one of the tallest players here so ‘yun ang gusto ko ma-apply sa sarili ko para maka-contribute ako and makuha ‘yung panalo [para] sa team namin,” she added.
Gagate showcased her efficiency, going 11-for-22 from the attack line to finish with a game-high 13 points in her first-ever PVL game.
The former La Salle star even led ZUS Coffee’s comeback attempt in the fourth set, scoring consecutive points during a 3-0 run that tied the game at 23. However, Faith Nisperos and Ivy Lacsina ultimately sealed the match.
(C) PVL Images
“Thankful ako, ‘di ko ine-expect honestly na double digits ako kasi ‘yun nga, may pinagdadaanan ako on the sides,” said Gagate, who shared that she was struggling physically ahead of her debut.
“But ‘yun nga, at the same time, happy din ako sa result ng game namin kasi nakikita mo ‘yung laban kahit na bago kaming team.”
Gagate bared that she’s dead-set on helping the Thunderbelles crawl out of the PVL cellar and into the top tier of the standings.
The Alas Pilipinas mainstay also said that the team will use the five-month-long tournament to work on their communication and cohesion as they aim to build a stronger foundation for the future.
“Syempre parang ‘yun ang goal talaga namin is mag-improve nang mag-improve pa lagi. Even though ‘di namin nakuha ‘yung gusto namin resulta today, which is ‘yung panalo, we’re still happy kasi at least nakikita mo nga ‘yung laban,” said the former UAAP champion.
“Sabi nga ni Ate Jov [Gonzaga], kailangan din i-work ‘yung communication kasi nga ang daming lapses, pero thankful din kami na mahaba ‘tong conference na ‘to para mas mag-work pa ‘yung relationship namin inside and outside the court.”
