All eyes will be on Thea Gagate as she looks to bring home the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles' first win in the PVL.
High expectations have been set for Thea Gagate as she makes her PVL debut for the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The no. 1 pick in the inaugural PVL Draft missed the Reinforced Conference due to her duties with Alas Pilipinas. But now that she’s with the Thunderbelles, Gagate has been slowly acclimating herseld to her new teammates.
“So far very smooth lang din ‘yung transition kasi madaling makasama ‘yung mga teammates ko and I’m just really excited kasi I see the potential even last conference and I’m just really excited with them this upcoming conference,” Gagate told One Sports.
[ALSO READ: PVL: No. 1 Pick Thea Gagate excited to team up with CSB core in ZUS Coffee]
Gagate is no stranger to success, coming from winning teams since her high school days. However, winning will be a challenge for the 6-foot-2 middle blocker as she tries to lead the ZUS Coffee franchise, who have yet to secure a win in the PVL.
Despite this, the 24-year-old star is excited to take on the challenge in her new volleyball journey.
“Hindi madali ‘yung pinagdaanan [ng ZUS Coffee] kasi even last conference, konting training lang din ‘yung nagawa nila,” said Gagate. “Ngayon, I’m thankful na at least nakakapag-training kami together ng mahabang-habang panahon and I’m just really excited for our team.”
Gagate is coming into the PVL with a chip on her shoulder, winning the Best Middle Blocker award thrice in the UAAP and just recently with Alas during the 2024 SEA V.League Leg 1 in Vietnam.
She hopes to share her knowledge and international experience with the Thunderbelles.
“Grateful ako sa mga experiences ko na nakukuha these past few months like ‘yung transition nga. Hindi naman siya madali pero sobrang malaking bagay lalo na ‘yung sa national team kasi at the same time, may natutunan ako and I can also share my learnings sa mga teammates ko,” said Gagate.
Aside from Gagate, the Thunderbelles have also secured the services of veteran spiker Jovelyn Gonzaga.
Th veteran Gonzaga could prove to be key for the young Thunderbelles squad, and Gagate herself will be among those eager to play alongside the Bionic Ilongga.
“Very happy kami na may kasama kaming ate sa loob ng court and malaking bagay ‘yun for us kasi since most of us are young and siya ay isang veteran na parang marami kaming matutunan sa kanya and madami din siyang mabibigay na learnings samin,” said Gagate.
[ALSO READ: ‘Dun ko na-feel ‘yung excitement’: Jovelyn Gonzaga explains decision to join ZUS Coffee in PVL return]