Tag: Gagate

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

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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



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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

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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.

PVL aspirants Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel focused on Alas stint

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Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel and Alas Pilipinas during a VNL meet and greet at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel politely declined to talk about their entry to the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft as their main focus is representing Alas Pilipinas’ upcoming FIVB Championship Challenger Cup campaign from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Gagate and Coronel, who are among the 47 rookie aspirants, are part of the Alas training pool anew after helping the team earn a historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup last month.

“Tuloy tuloy pa rin po yung training namin. Non-stop kasi ibang level of competition na ito so kailangang tiyagain,” said Gagate, who is the starting middle blocker of the nationals.

READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel lead first PVL rookie draft aspirants

Like the La Salle tandem, National University MVPs Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who didn’t enter the draft after the June 12 deadline, also respectfully refused to comment about their decision not to go pro in the PVL, choosing to focus with Alas.

Two-time UAAP MVP Belen said she’s slowly improving her jelling with the team, while Solomon still has a check-up on a nagging injury.

Coronel, the backup setter of Jia De Guzman, said the team is preparing well for AVC champion Vietnam, which they will face in a do-or-die game in the Challenger Cup with the winner advancing to the next round against the triumphant squad between Argentina and Czech Republic.

READ: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon skip PVL Draft, stay with NU Lady Bulldogs

Also vying for the lone VNL spot are Belgium, Sweden, Puerto Rico, and Kenya.

“We already know who we’re going to be up against, which is Vietnam so as early as now we’re already making adjustments in training,” she said.

The Lady Spikers also relished their fan meet before the VNL games on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Of course, very happy kami na at least sa ganitong paraan, mapapasaya namin yung mga Filipino fans so we hope to meet a lot of them,” Gagate said.



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Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline PVL rookie draft aspirants

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FILE – Alas Pilipinas stars and La Salle standouts Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel (left and second to left) join the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas players Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel were among the 47 aspirants — mostly composed of UAAP and NCAA student-athletes — joining the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on July 8.

The La Salle pair, who were part of the Philippines’ historic bronze medal in the AVC Challenge Cup, will be part of the league’s historic Rookie Draft with their fellow Lady Spikers Maicah Larroza and Leila Cruz.

The PVL trimmed the total number of applicants from 50 to 47 after the June 12 deadline.

Gagate is a three-time 1st Best Middle Blocker in the UAAP and won the Season 85 title last year before settling for a bronze this season. Cruz, who suffered an ACL injury in 2023, has thrown her name to the draft after sitting out in Season 86 and is also listed as a middle blocker from playing as an opposite spiker.

READ: How the rise of PVL, PH volleyball has put the sport on a pedestal

Ateneo libero Roma Mae Doromal is also part of the historic draft with Pierre Abellana of the University of Santo Tomas, the runner-up of the UAAP as the 47 aspirants will have a two-day Draft Combine from June 25-26 at Gameville Ballpark in Sheridan, Mandaluyong.

Adamson has seven aspirants in outside spikers Lucille Almonte and Ishie Lalongisip, opposite spiker AA Adolfo, setters Nikka Yandoc and Angge Alcantara, libero Karen Verdeflor, and middle blocker Sharya Ancheta. University of the Philippines has three players in Abi Goc (outside hitter), Jewel Encarnacion (outside hitter), and Stephanie Bustrillo (opposite spiker), while University of the East has three aspirants Dara Nieva (opposite spiker) and liberos Jenina Zeta and Dea Villamor.

NU stars stay put

Alyssa Solomon Bella Belen Alas Pilipinas

FILE–National University’s Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, who drew huge interest after leading National University to its second UAAP title in three years and winning the Season and Finals MVP, respectively, didn’t apply for the PVL draft. Inquirer sources bared that they decided to stay for another title defense.

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 draft will also feature Filipino-Foreign players with 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.

READ: UAAP: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon take their time to enjoy NU title

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 live draft lottery determining the order of the first four picks between Zus Coffee, Farm Fresh, Capital1, and Galeries Tower will be held on the June 24 episode of The Starting Lineup, which airs on RPTV and Pilipinas Live.