November 23, 2024

Thea Gagate the obvious choice for ZUS Coffee for first pick of historic PVL Draft, says coach Jerry Yee

Thea Gagate the obvious choice for ZUS Coffee for first pick of historic PVL Draft, says coach Jerry Yee
Jerry Yee is excited to select Thea Gagate as the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles' first overall pick in the 2024 PVL Draft. | Photos (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Less than a day after securing the first overall pick in the inaugural 2024 PVL Draft, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles have already decided on who they will select on July 8.

Coach Jerry Yee was present during the Draft Combine Monday, June 25, and he expressed his excitement about who the rebranded Thunderbelles could add with their picks.

“We were very happy and very excited kaya nandito tayo [sa PVL Draft Combine] para makakita ng next pick namin,” Yee told reporters.

But when it comes to the historic first overall pick, Yee and the rest of the ZUS Coffee management have already made up their mind.

“Parang consensus naman kung sino 'yung number one diyan. Kailangan mo 'yun eh, height [and] mobility,” said Yee.

“Wala pang approval ng management pero we all agreed on the first name we wanted, si Thea [Gagate] sana, so I'm here to look at the 13th pick,” he added.

[ALSO READ: Thea Gagate, Julia Coronel headline aspirants for inaugural 2024 PVL rookie draft]

Picking Gagate first should come as no surprise to many after the towering middle blocker showed her immense skills in the UAAP, where she bagged the 1st Best Middle Blocker award for three straight seasons with DLSU.

The Season 85 champion also proved her worth for Alas Pilipinas during their impressive 2024 AVC Challenge Cup campaign, winning a historic bronze medal.

With their first pick secured, Yee will now turn his focus on selecting other talented players who will be available in the next rounds of the draft.

 “At ZUS, marami pa kaming slots pupunuin. One of each position palang ang meron. Usually, you have to have three or four per position,” said Yee.

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