ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee expressed satisfaction following the Thunderbelles’ draft haul, which saw them pick up four players – tying for the most among the 12 teams that participated in the inaugural Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft last Monday.
Alas Pilipinas middle blocker Thea Gagate, the towering middle blocker from La Salle, was ZUS Coffee’s top overall pick, as expected.
Adamson standouts Shar Ancheta and Nikka Yandoc were selected by the Thunderbelles in the second and third rounds, respectively.
Meanwhile, Jenina Zeta of the University of the East came off the board in the fourth round as the second-to-last selection of the draft.
“Ayun na nga, sana ma-maximize namin. Sana magamit namin talaga yung mga nakuha namin,” said Yee following the draft festivities at the Novotel.
“So we are very happy naman na sila yung nakuha natin and then yung mga available na nandiyan and yung mga talagang mga kailangan namin na players, kailangan namin na posisyunan napunan namin,” he added.
Considering that the team will be composed of young players, Yee believes that the rookies – especially Gagate – will play a major role for ZUS Coffee in the ongoing PVL season.
The former Farm Fresh head coach said that Gagate’s height will be pivotal for the Thunderbelles, especially in the Reinforced Conference against tall imports.
(C) PVL Images
“Yeah, like now or in the future, kasi kailangan mo ng legitimate na big para tumapat sa mga imports, di ba, so talagang sa Reinforced [Conference], sa All-Filipino [Conference],” said Yee.
“Malaking [tulong], of course. Malaki siya eh. No. ‘Di ba, kung makakakuha tayo ng magandang pasa, mahirap pigilan yung ganung height. And then sa blocking, parang instant naman yun na hindi rin basta lulusot kay Thea, so malaki talagang tulong ng isang Thea sa team. So, any team here in the PVL magiging swerte to have her,” he continued.
Yee and the rest of ZUS Coffee, however, will have to wait as Gagate will have to finish her duties with Alas Pilipinas first before making her debut with the team.
With the 6-foot-2 middle blocker set to miss a huge chunk of the Reinforced Conference, ZUS Coffee will have to rely on the collective efforts of Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.
They also have holdovers Dolly Verzosa and MJ Onofre, as well as Japanese reinforcement Asaka Tamaru, to hold the fort.
“Lalaban, lalaban of course. Yung winning, iba pa naman yun pero it’s a process sabi nga nila. Hopefully, it doesn’t take us too long na mag-improve to their level. Syempre, iba yung experience, iba yung age or power nila. Ganun talaga.”
