Tag: eyes

Set on Gagate at No. 1, Zus eyes other young talents

On: By: admin


Thea Gagate at the PVL Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Jerry Yee is now looking at his first pick in the second round of the PVL Draft next month in order to perk up Zus Coffee’s chances the best way he can when the Thunderbelles campaign in the import-laced Reinforced Conference next month.

With Yee making up his mind in selecting the towering Thea Gagate first overall, he and the rest of coaching staff are now looking at the rest of the 46-strong pool and are praying that none of the other teams picking second to 12th overall grabs the young talents available.

“It’s a consensus on who No. 1 is—you need her height and mobility,” Yee said in a mix of Filipino when asked on who Zus will make as the historic first overall choice in the first-ever Draft proceedings. “Management still has to approve (selection of Gagate), but we already agreed on the name we want.”

Barring any hiccups, Gagate will be joining the core of NCAA champion College of St. Benilde like MVP and setter Cloanne Mondonedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa and Michelle Gamit.

“So I am here now to look at the 13th pick,” said Yee, who watched the Draft Combine in Mandaluyong

The 6-foot-2 Gagate concluded a productive UAAP career at La Salle, where she won one title, and was one of the stars for Alas Pilipinas when it bagged a historic bronze medal in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup last month.

She still is part of the Alas pool, which could have her miss some games in the Reinforced with the national team to play in a couple of tournaments while the PVL is ongoing.

“I am very honored that I am their first choice and I am grateful for it, so I just hope that I will get there soon,” said Gagate, a three-time first Best Middle Blocker in the UAAP.

“For my part, I’ll just do my best to help the team rise through the rankings in the PVL,” she added.

Yee said that he still has a lot of spots to fill up and is hoping against hope that the other teams would grab the seasoned players in the pool on July 8. INQ



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

U18 squad eyes sweep for promotion, redemption

On: By: admin


Gabby Ramos against Indonesia defenders Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup Seaba Qualifiers. –FIBA BASKETBALL

Gilas Pilipinas is back in the Fiba U18 Women’s Asia Cup and will be shooting for redemption—and Division A promotion—nearly two years after a heartbreaking loss that had the squad settling for third place.

The young Nationals, coached by longtime women’s program mentor Julie Amos, arrived in Shenzhen, China, on Saturday (Manila time). Still sore from a friendly with the La Salle Lady Archers and a long trip from the airport to the Chinese city, they immediately rolled their sleeves and got to work, eager to erase the heartaches of the past.

“Even though coming from an early flight, we were able to rest a bit and get back to training,” Amos told the Inquirer. “We had our first training today at 2 p.m. and [we hope to do it tomorrow] 2 p.m. again before June 24.”

The Philippines’ path will first go through the Maldives, a side they picked apart with methodical precision in their last meeting, 110-28, in the previous edition of the tournament held in Bangalore, India.

The clash is set at 4:30 p.m. at Futian Sports Park with the likes of Naomi Panganiban, Gabriella Ramos, and Tiff Reyes expected to match their strong showing during the Asia Cup qualifiers in Thailand last May.

2022 heartache

Amos noted her charges’ zest but knows all too well that it will all be for naught without the proper mindset.

“We all know that this will be a tough competition. And for us to be able to win, to face all [sorts of] adversities, we have to be ready mentally and physically,” she said. “Being resilient and determined is what [we need to do] in this tournament. The girls are excited and ready.”

Gilas is also slotted with Syria and Lebanon in Group B.

The Philippines was on track to reach the you-or-me finale during the 2022 showcase, but ran into a tough-as-nails Malaysian side that prevailed in overtime, 66-65. Gilas, then starred by the likes of Kate Bobadilla, Kristian Yumul, and Louna Ozar, played Samoa to wind up in third place.

A sweep of the Shenzhen showcase will finally send the Philippines to Division A, where continental powerhouses China, Japan and Australia compete.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.