POLOMOLOK, South Cotabato — Thea Gagate is the latest Filipino volleyball player to take her talents to Japan after signing with Denso Airybees for the 2026–27 Japan S.V. League season, the club announced on Friday.
“We would like to thank you for your warm support to Denso Airybees. We would like to inform you that we have decided to sign Thea Allison Gagate,” the club said in an Instagram post.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker joins the growing list of Filipinos who have played in Japan’s top professional volleyball league, including Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Sachi Minowa, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jia De Guzman, Maddie Madayag, and Brian Castro.
Gagate also becomes the third Filipino to suit up for Denso Airybees, following De Guzman and Minowa.
The ZUS Coffee blocker is currently in Vietnam with Alas Pilipinas, which is competing in the 2026 SEA V Cup.
Her departure leaves ZUS Coffee without one of its key pieces in what had been one of the Premier Volleyball League’s deepest middle blocker rotations.
The Thunderbelles are now expected to rely on Zam Nolasco, Riza Nogales, and rookie Alyanna Ong to anchor the middle, while newly-converted opposite hitter AC Miner provides another frontline option.
ZUS Coffee is currently in the midst of its PVL On Tour campaign and will conclude its schedule against PLDT on August 8 in Santiago, Isabela.
