Thea Gagate was accustomed to being the tallest player on the field until she wasn’t anymore on the international stage.
Making her debut for Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker found international play challenging, suddenly facing a height disadvantage among players in her position.
However, Gagate is embracing it as added experience, despite her still young career at just 23 years old, having recently played her final game for De La Salle University in the UAAP.
“For me, mahirap siya kasi knowing international players, matatangkad sila and di ako sanay. Kasi syempre, sa UAAP, I’m the tallest one so yeah, malaking experience ito,” said the Cebuana pride.
Although she admitted to having a tough time, her statistics tell a different story.
For the second consecutive game, she was set up by setter Jia De Guzman and she delivered both times.
In the opening game against Australia, where Alas won in four sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, Gagate scored 11 points, including a team-best four blocks.
Then, on Friday night, she followed it up with 12 points on 11 attacks as the Philippines rose to 2-0 after a 22-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 victory over India.
“Well, of course, coming into every game, mindset ko lang is ibigay yung best ko palagi. Ilabas ko kung ano yung kaya ko and anong pwede kong gawin para makapagcontribute sa team,” said Gagate, who racked up three-straight 1st Best Middle Blocker awards in the UAAP.
“Of course, very grateful po kasi finally natupad yung dream ko as an athlete (na mapasama sa national team) and yun nga, gagawin ko lang yung best ko para mailabas yung kaya ko.”
A 3-0 record is the target for Gagate and the rest of Alas tomorrow when they face an Iran team that split their first two matches in the tournament.
