Tag: Coffee

Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign

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Thea Gagate shows her leaping ability during the PVL Rookie Draft combine in Mandaluyong.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate is honored to be chosen by ZUS Coffee as the No.1 overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel, vowing to repay the team’s trust by giving her all to elevate the team’s level of play.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee on Tuesday revealed at the draft combine that they will be picking the Alas Pilipinas middle blocker in the league’s upcoming inaugural draft.

The 6-foot-2 Gagate is elated to embark on a new chapter in her volleyball career with the NCAA three-peat champion College of Saint Benilde players, led by Season 99 MVP and Best Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo, Finals MVP Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.

READ: Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

“Of course, I’m very honored na ako ‘yung first choice nila and I’m grateful for it, sobra. I just hope na I will go there soon,” Gagate said. “Masaya kasi nakikita nila ‘yung efforts ko as a player and na-aappreciate nila ‘yun. Hopefully, mapakita ko (pa ‘yung skills ko) sa future team ko.”

The La Salle stalwart, who won three straight 1st Best Middle Blocker awards and a Season 85 title last year, is determined to help the Thunderbelles improve from a 0-11 stint in the All-Filipino Conference.

“I’ll just really do my best na matulungan ‘yung team na umangat ‘yung ranking nila sa PVL. There’s always gonna be pressure but I’ll put that aside and just focus on working hard on myself and I’ll be good,” Gagate said. “It’s gonna be challenging talaga kasi pero very exciting din kasi coming into the national team, I also wish to bring new learnings to my new team sa PVL para matulungan kong umangat ‘yung ranking nila.”

Gagate, who was part of Alas Pilipinas’ historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, isn’t sure about her availability in the Reinforced Conference due to the FIVB Challenger Cup next week and SEA V.League in August. But she’s hoping she could make her debut in the import-laden tournament.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL Rookie Draft

“Very surprising kasi hindi ko talaga inexpect na ganito ‘yung mangyayari this year. My last collegiate season didn’t end well but I’m very grateful as well na nakasama ako sa national team and we also won bronze. I hope things will go better for the rest of the year,” she said.

Although she ended her UAAP career by missing the finals, Gagate remained grateful for La Salle and coach Ramil De Jesus.

“Nagpaalam talaga kami nang maayos to maintain a good relationship with everyone kasi the volleyball community is really small so kailangan namin mag-maintain ng good relationship,” said the Cebuana middle blocker. “On my part, they already expected it even before Season 86. I’m thankful din kay Coach (Ramil) na pinayagan niya ako wholeheartedly.”

Gagate is looking forward to face the finalists of the past two All-Filipino, Creamline and Choco Mucho. But right now, her focus is with the national team against Vietnam in the Challenger Cup on July 5 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.



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Thea Gagate to be picked No. 1 by ZUS Coffee in PVL Rookie Draft

On: By: admin


Thea Gagate will be picked number one by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the upcoming PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee revealed the Thunderbelles are selecting Thea Gagate as the top pick in the PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel, barring any change of heart from the management.

Yee on Tuesday bared to the reporters that they’re eyeing the projected top prospect of the 2024 class, Gagate, who will be taking her height and experience from La Salle and Alas Pilipinas to the pro scene.

“Consensus naman yun kung sinong number one jan kasi mas kailangan mo yun e. Height, mobility,” said Yee, referring to the 6-foot-2 Gagate.

“Wala pang approval ng management but we all agreed on the first name we wanted, si Thea sana. So I’m here to look at the 13th pick.”

READ: ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft

With a 40 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Thunderbelles were drawn by reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz as the No.1 overall pick in the lottery on Monday evening at TV5 Media Center.

Yee, the former Farm Fresh coach who moved to ZUS Coffee, is confident that the management will approve their decision on picking the three-time UAAP 1st Best Middle Blocker, who won a championship with the Lady Spikers last year.

“I think the management they have long been in contact. Naguusap naman sila,” Yee bared.

However, Gagate’s availability is up in the air in the Reinforced Conference as she’s part of Alas Pilipinas, which will compete in the FIVB Challenger Cup on July 5 and SEA V.League in August.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL Rookie Draft

Yee said they are also eyeing to tap Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru, who led guest team Kurashiki to last year’s Invitational championship.

“Si coach Shota Sato yung wife niya is Asaka Tamaru and nakita ko sa Japan. Pwede.  Talking kami with her and the new girls and a new chance to be here,” said Yee of Tamaru, who is part of Farm Fresh’s coaching staff.

More than selecting Gagate, Yee is seeking to draft more players from the 13th pick and the succeeding rounds. 

“Hopefully, hindi masyadong kumuha ng younger players yung other teams. Pero at ZUS marami pa kaming slots na pupunuin, one on each position pa lang ang meron or two. Usually you have to have three, four per position,” the ZUS Coffee coach said.

Gagate and the 46 aspirants graced the first day of the combine to undergo anthropometry, which includes a one-minute push-up, standing vertical jump, vertical jump with approach, standing broad jump, modified agility t-test, and 60m shuttle run.

ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, lost all its 11 games in its debut in the All-Filipino Conference with Yee, who transferred from Farm Fresh to its sister team, bringing NCAA ‘three-peat’ champion College of Saint Benilde players led by Season 99 MVP and Best Setter Cloanne Mondoñedo, Finals MVP Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.

“Challenging kasi kumbaga hindi na pwede yung sasabihin bagong team ka tapos ganun yung reason mo para panget yung performance mo. At least for us, ayaw namin ng ganun,” said Yee. “Laban lang. Dito nagsisimula, makakuha kami good pieces and from there  you build on that and let’s see kung pano kami [magwork].



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“Ang importante sa amin is yung chemistry namin. Confident sa training , program, sipag na nandito kami present, yung results hindi namin hawak yun excited kami. Gusto na namin magsimula,” he added.

ZUS Coffee gets top pick for inaugural PVL Rookie Draft

On: By: admin


The last three PVL MVPs, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho, and Ces Molina of Cignal, will draw the draft pick order for ZUS Coffee, Capital1, Galeries Tower, and Farm Fresh.

MANILA, Philippines — The odds were in ZUS Coffee’s favor as it secured the first overall pick of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8 at Novotel in Quezon City.

With a 40 percent chance of getting the top pick, the Thunderbelles were drawn by reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz as the No.1 overall pick in the lottery on Monday evening at TV5 Media Center.

ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, lost all its 11 games in its debut in the All-Filipino Conference.

LIST: Applicants for the first ever PVL Rookie Draft

The next three picks were being drawn as of posting time in the league’s first-ever lottery, supervised by Commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and the Games and Amusement Board.

ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee will have the luxury of selecting the top prospect of the 47 Rookie Aspirants to build on his roster bannered by NCAA ‘three-peat’ champion College of Saint Benilde players Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit.

“We’re very happy for ZUS Coffee because we were the first pick so we have a bigger chance or better chance kung sino yung pipiliin namin kasi since kami yung first, mas makakapili kami kung sino talaga yung best for the team,” said Farm Fresh assistant coach Justine Dorog, who spoke for sister team ZUS Coffee. “I hope na yung first pick namin, makatulong talaga siya sa team.”

Capital1, represented by tea, onwer Mandy Romero, earned the second overall pick as drawn by Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina after having a 30 percent chance in the lottery.

The Solar Spikers, under veteran coach Roger Gorayeb, finished with one win in their debut.

Drawn by reigning Invitational Conference MVP Ces Molina of Cignal, the Galeries Tower(20% chance) and Farm Fresh (10%), who both finished with identical 3-8 records in the All-Filipino, will pick third and fourth, respectively.

READ: PVL draft quality takes hit but quantity is promising

Nxled holds the fifth pick, followed by Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz, runner-up Choco Mucho, and All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline.

The 47 aspirants along with free agents will see action in a two-day combine on Tuesday and Wednesday at GameVille Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.

Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, fellow La Salle Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz applied for the draft, along with Adamson Lady Falcons AA Adolfo, Lucille Almonte, Nikka Yandoc, Angge Alcantara, Karen Verdeflor, and Sharya Ancheta.

Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal and Santo Tomas’ Pierre Abellana also threw their names in the pool with University of the Philippines’ Abi Goc, Jewel Encarnacion, and Stephanie Bustrillo. University of the East has three aspirants Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor.

NCAA players are also joining with Letran’s Daisy Melendres and Bay Anne de Leon; Arellano’s Dodee Batindaan, Robbie Mae Matawaran, Lorraine Pecana, Donnalyn Paralejas, and Charmina Dino; EAC’s Catherine Almanzan; Lyceum’s Camille Belaro; San Beda’s Maxinne Tayag and Lalaine Arizapa; San Sebastian’s Jewelle Bermillo; and Perpetual Help’s Razel Aldea and Sandra Dayao.



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The draft will also feature Filipinos born and/or raised abroad like Aleiah Torres of Brock University and Nathalie Ramacula of Red River College Polytechnic as well as other players nationwide, Lovely Zapf and Lian Macasiray from DLSU-Dasmarinas, Andrea Jardio of Lyceum-Alabang, Jamie Solina from Marinduque State, Danya Casino of Trinity, and Danivah Aying from USJ-R.

Training pool players from NU, CJ Evangelista, La Salle’s Caroline Santos, Ysabela Bakabak, and Giliana Torres, former UST Tigress Mary Grace Vernaiz, and former UE Lady Warrior Remcel Santos also entered the draft.

The second round will be based on their All-Filipino records having the same order as the first round since lottery teams landed on their respective spots.

PVL: Cloanne Mondoñedo banks on familiarity with ZUS Coffee

On: By: admin


St. Benilde Blazers star Cloanne Mondoñedo during Collegiate Press Coprs Awards. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After steering the College of Saint Benilde to an unbeaten ‘three-peat’ in the NCAA, Cloanne Mondoñedo prepares for the next chapter of her career with ZUS Coffee in the PVL Reinforced Conference starting in July.

Mondoñedo, the Collegiate Press Corps’ NCAA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year, is tempering her expectations heading to the pros although she and some of her fellow Lady Blazers already experienced playing in the PVL as guest players for Farm Fresh.

“We will just show what we’re capable of and perform [our roles],” the NCAA Season 99 MVP and Best Setter.

READ: PH women’s basketball, men’s volleyball standouts feted

“It’s gonna be like big adjustments for us not. It’s a huge job for us,” she added.

Mondoñedo won’t need to undergo the PVL Rookie Draft as she and her St. Benilde teammates Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa already played for Farm Fresh last year.

As she runs the plays for ZUS Coffee, formerly Strong Group Athletics, the young setter is grateful to have her coach Jerry Yee and fellow Lady Blazers leading a rebuilding team.

“Our familiarity is a big factor for us. It will be easier for us to bond and communicate,” she said.

ZUS Coffee has a 40% chance of getting the top pick in the draft lottery on Monday.



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