She made her presence felt in the homestretch.
Thea Gagate is glad she was able to repay the team’s trust as the De La Salle University Lady Spikers captured the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball championship at the expense of National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Gagate stepped up in the homestretch of the deciding fifth set, swatting away three shots including the emphatic block on NU star Bella Belen that put La Salle up 13-9.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker then scored the hit that put the stranglehold on the championship.
After the match, she expressed her gratitude for the team’s trust in her.
“Grateful ako kasi pinagkatiwalaan ako ni Ate Mars (Alba) at ng team kasi sa previous sets hindi ako masyado naka-contribute,” said Gagate.
She finished with 17 points including 5 blocks for the Lady Spikers, who now have 12 women’s volleyball titles overall.
The Lady Spikers exacted revenge on the same team that blanked them in the finals last season. It's why they couldn’t help but feel elated with this conquest.
“Sobrang saya, after 5 years nag-champion. Nakabalik na naman. Napakahirap na paraan pero napakasarap sa pakiramdam,” said assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
(GM)