Thea Gagate has brought in a winning culture to the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles after making her debut during the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Thea Gagate continues to deliver for ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Three games in the new conference, Gagate has helped the Thunderbelles secure a 2-1 record, tied for third in the standings alongside the Petro Gazz Angels and the Akari Chargers.
Their latest win came against the Galeries Tower Highrisers via sweep, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, November 28.
In that match, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker contributed nine points on six attacks and three blocks.
“Happy ako kasi na-translate namin kung ano ‘yung pinagte-trainingan namin so far. So hopefully lang tuloy-tuloy ‘yung transition and para makakuha ng more wins,” Gagate said during the post-game press conference.
Gagate has proven to be a game-changer for ZUS Coffee, who had lost 20 straight games in the league before their first win this conference.
[ALSO READ: Thea Gagate’s positive outlook shows in ZUS Coffee’s breakthrough win in PVL All-Filipino Conference]
Head coach Jerry Yee made sure to acknowledge the no. 1 pick’s contributions so far for the Thunderbelles on and off the court.
“She is living up to her expectations,” said Yee.
“Kasi masaya kapag may ganyang kang teammate. Hopeful ka, may chance ka, may pag-asa manalo agad eh. So excited kang mag-practice, excited ka pumunta sa practice earlier, excited ka ayusin ‘yung mga pinapagawa ni coach kasi talagang kita mo may materyales, talagang kita mo may direksyon,” he explained.
Despite her strong start to the conference, Gagate knows plenty of work still needs to be done to improve her game and help ZUS Coffee secure more wins.
“Well personally, I think sa blockings kasi as much as possible ‘yung mga spiker ng kalaban umiiwas sa'kin, so I need to find a way to read them and contribute sa blockings,” said Gagate.
[ALSO READ: Thea Gagate unfazed by pressure of delivering success to ZUS Coffee after PVL debut]
Chinnie Arroyo led the way for the Thunderbelles in their sweep over the Highrisers with 14 points on 11 attacks, one block, and two aces.
Chai Troncoso had 11 markers in the win. Jovelyn Gonzaga and Michelle Gamit added seven apiece.
ZUS Coffee will have a week to prepare for their next match which will be against Farm Fresh on December 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
France Ronquillo and Roselle Baliton paced Galeries Tower with 12 each, while Jho Maraguinot added 10 in the loss.
The Highrisers will seek their first win in the conference against Capital1 in Cebu on December 7.