Thea Gagate proved to be as good as advertised following a stellar debut season in the professional ranks.
The towering middle blocker backed the hype of her much-anticipated entry to the Premier Volleyball League with huge contributions in turning ZUS Coffee’s fortunes around after selecting her as the top overall pick in the inaugural Rookie Draft last Year.
Her impact on the Thunderbelles and the league made her the hands-down choice for Rookie of the Year honors at the coming Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night, which will be held on May 28 at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City.
Gagate’s presence powered ZUS Coffee to a first-ever playoff appearance in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
The three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker out of La Salle took the Thunderbelles to greater heights from a winless squad in their first two seasons to contenders after surviving the Play-In round and even pushed eventual champion Petro Gazz to its limits in the quarterfinals.
Gagate earned her historic recognition in the formal awards rites presented by ArenaPlus after garnering a weighted score of 148.1 points in the selection that factors in 50% statistics, 30% media votes, and 20% team votes.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker topped all departments with 46.6 statistical points, 65.7 points from media votes, and 35.8 from team votes, besting Cignal’s All-Filipino top rookie Ishie Lalongisip (125.8), PLDT setter Angge Alcantara (105.5), and her teammate Shar Ancheta (99.6).
During her debut in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, Gagate led the league in total blocks with 48, ranking second in the department with a 0.74 per set average. She was the top scorer among middle blockers and 14th overall with 190 points to win one of the two Best Middle Blocker awards.
Her recognition comes alongside the announcement of the PVL Mythical Team, headlined by two-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz and Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons, both selected as Best Outside Hitters.
Van Sickle led all outside hitters with a weighted score of 195.36 after ending Creamline’s dynasty for Petro Gazz’s maiden All-Filipino crown.
