Thea Gagate will look to lead the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles to greater heights starting in the PVL 2024 Reinforced Conference.
De La Salle University star Thea Gagate is now officially part of the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles after the inaugural 2024 PVL Rookie Draft at the Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao on Monday, July 8.
Though already seen as the consensus first-overall pick in the Rookie Draft, Gagate still relished the moment of being selected as the top pick by the Thunderbelles.
“Nandun talaga ‘yung kaba, hindi pa rin ‘yun mawawala. Kasi even though I know na I’m their top pick, andun pa rin ‘yung bigat kahit papaano, but I’m also very grateful na na-appreciate nila ‘yung talent ko and ako ‘yung na-pick nila for the team,” Gagate told reporters.
Under ZUS Coffee, Gagate will join the College of Saint Benilde core, which features NCAA MVP Cloanne Mondoñedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Mich Gamit.
Holdovers from Strong Group Athletics in Mary Onofre and Dolly Versoza will also join the Jerry Yee-led squad.
“Very exciting kasi we’ve never been together with other NCAA [players] and sila din, hindi pa nakapagsama with UAAP teams,” said Gagate. “Siguro mas maganda lang itong experience and hopefully makabuo kami ng magandang energy all together.”
As she joins the rebuilding Thunderbelles, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker will begin a new journey after spending her collegiate career as a contender with the Lady Spikers.
This is a challenge that Gagate is willing to take on as she moves on to the professional league.
“It was always going to be pressure pero I’m just really excited as well, and as I always say, I will just do my best to help the team and help build their rank up in the PVL,” said Gagate.
[ALSO READ: Consensus no. 1 pick Thea Gagate ready to propel ZUS Coffee in PVL rankings]
Gagate and the rest of ZUS Coffee will begin their Reinforced Conference campaign on July 18 when they face the defending champions Petro Gazz Angels in Pool B.