Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz go 1-2 in PVL Rookie Draft

Thea Gagate, as expected, is taken first overall by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft at Novotel in Quezon City.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — There were no surprises in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft after Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz emerged as the top two picks on Monday night at Novotel in Quezon City.

ZUS Coffee and Capital1 will bank on their rookies to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming Reinforced Conference on July 16 at PhilSports Arena.

The 6-foot-2 Gagate, who was already revealed as ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee’s pick in the two-day combine two weeks ago, will bring her towering height and winning pedigree as a key cog in La Salle’s championship run in last year’s UAAP Season 85 and as part of Alas Pilipinas’ historic bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup.

READ: Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign

The Thunderbelles, formerly Strong Group Athletics, are hopeful that the three-time UAAP 1st Best Middle Blocker can make an immediate impact after a winless All-Filipino Conference campaign as she teams up with three-time NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde players Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit as well as Japanese reinforcement Asaka Tamaru.

The No. 2 pick Cruz is starting a new chapter in her career as a Solar Spiker, returning to action following an ACL injury she sustained in the UAAP Season 85.

Leila Cruz is selected second in the PVL Rookie Draft by Capital1.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The 6-foot-1 opposite spiker is set to bring her scoring prowess and blocking to coach Roger Gorayeb’s squad, which added setter Iris Tolenada, Shola Alvarez, and Julia Ipac as well as Russian spiker Marina Tushova after a one-win debut in the first conference.

READ: PVL: ‘Fully recovered’ Leila Cruz gets chance at comeback

Julia Coronel, arguably the top setter of the 2024 class, landed with the Galeries Highrisers as the third overall pick, bringing her playmaking honed by La Salle coach Ramil De Jesus and Alas starting setter Jia De Guzman.

To continue its rise to the PVL, Galeries selected Coronel to reinforce with Dimdim Pacres, Roma Joy Doromal, Ysa Jimenez, libero Alyssa Eroa, and Brazilian import Monique Helena.

However, the availability of Coronel and top overall pick Gagate remains uncertain as Alas will have a two-week training camp in Japan this month before the SEA V League in August.

The first four picks were from La Salle with Maicah Larroza being the surprise No. 4 pick by Farm Fresh, which will play under the Japanese system of Shota Sato.

Sister teams Nxled and Akari selected talented UAAP spikers Lucille Almonte of Adamson and Steph Bustrillo of University of the Philippines, respectively.

Four Lady Falcons were consecutively selected late in the first round with Ishie Lalong Isip taken by Cignal at No. 7, setter Angge Alcantara selected by PLDT at No. 8, libero Karen Verdeflor by Cignal and AA Adolfo chosen by defending Reinforced Conference champion Petro Gazz at No. 10.

With the 11th pick, All-Filipino Conference runner-up Choco Mucho drafted Arellano middle blocker Lorraine Pecaña, who became the first NCAA player selected in the historical rookie event.

Creamline ended the first round with Filipino-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres.