PVL: Thea Gagate hopes to build ‘synergy’ with new teammates

No. 1 overall pick Thea Gagate during the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate puts a premium on the value of building a connection with her new teammates as ZUS Coffee tries to rise from the ashes in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

As expected, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker of Alas Pilipinas was selected by the Thurderbelles as the first overall pick of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on Monday evening at Novotel.

Although she won’t be available until August due to her national team duties, Gagate is looking to form a strong connection with ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee and his “three-peat” NCAA champion players at College of St. Benilde in Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit as well as Japanese reinforcement Asaka Tamaru and holdovers Dolly Verzosa and MJ Onofre.

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

“Very exciting siya isipin kasi we’ve never been together with the NCAA players and sila rin, hindi pa nakasama with UAAP teams. Mas maganda lang itong experience and hopefully makabuo kami ng magandang synergy all together in my new team,” Gagate, who won a championship with La Salle in the UAAP Season 85, told reporters. 

“I need to make a great relationship with my teammates, especially coaches, and management para okay yung environment and para mas maging okay yung laro namin in the upcoming PVL conference,” she added.

Besides Gagate, ZUS Coffee drafted Adamson middle blocker Sharya Ancheta and setter Nikka Yandoc as the 13th and 19th picks, respectively, as well as University of the East product Jenina Zeta in the fourth round before passing up in the fifth. 

Despite getting assurance from the Thunderbelles of drafting her as soon as they got the top pick in the lottery, Gagate admitted that being the first overall pick of the maiden rookie draft entails a huge responsibility.

“There’s always gonna be pressure but I’m just really excited as well. And as I always say, I hope na I will do my best to help the team and rank up in the PVL,” she said. “Even though I know that I’m their top pick andon pa rin yung bigat kahit papaano but then I’m also very grateful na naappreciate nila yung talent ko and ako yung napick nila.”

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

For now, the three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker’s focus is on Alas Pilipinas’ Japan training camp for two weeks before the SEA V League next month.

But once she dons the ZUS Coffee uniform, Gagate hopes to make her presence felt not just in blocking but also through her leadership.

Coach Jerry Yee believes a talent like Gagate, an Alas AVC Challenge Cup bronze medalist, is worth the wait. 

“Kung makakakuha tayo ng magandang pasa, mahirap pigilan yung ganung height. And then sa blocking, parang instant naman yun na hindi rin basta lulusot kay Thea so malaki talagang tulong ng isang Thea sa team. Any team here in the PVL magiging swerte to have her,” he said.