Thea Gagate, who emerged as the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) first-ever No. 1 pick by ZUS Coffee, looks forward to bringing her championship tradition from La Salle to the revamped PVL squad.
The two-time UAAP best middle blocker and Alas Pilipinas mainstay hopes to create a winning synergy with the rebuilding Thunderbelles squad, which primarily features standouts from the reigning NCAA champion College of St. Benilde.
“Mas maganda lang itong experience and hopefully makabuo kami [ng mga CSB players] ng magandang synergy all together in my team,” Gagate said in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft held at the Novotel Manila Araneta City on Monday.
Gagate will now wear ZUS Coffee Blue alongside CSB stars Jade Gentapa, Mich Gamit, Gayle Pascual, and NCAA MVP Cloanne Mondoñedo.
As of writing, Strong Group Athletics holdovers Mary Onofre and Dolly Versoza round out the Thunderbelles’ squad.
(C) PVL Images
“Very exciting siya isipin kasi we’ve never been together with the NCAA players and sila rin, hindi pa nakasama ang mga UAAP players,” she expressed.
Gagate added that she aims to make an immediate impact on the Thunderbelles despite the pressure of being the consensus No. 1 pick and the first-ever top pick in PVL Draft history.
Strong Group Athletics (now under the name ZUS Coffee) went winless in its maiden PVL campaign in the last All-Filipino conference.
“I need to make a great relationship with my teammates, coaches, and management para okay yung environment and para maging okay yung laro namin in the upcoming PVL conference,” Gagate said.
“Gagawin ko lang din yung best ko na sana matulungan ko yung team na umangat sa PVL and I hope I can also contribute in terms of blocking.”
Gagate also revealed that her PVL debut with the Thunderbelles will have to wait as her “only focus” will be on Alas Pilipinas’ upcoming Southeast Asian V.League in August.
