Rookie of the Year Thea Gagate gives a speech during the PVL Press Corps Awards Night. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Take it from the Rookie of the Year herself.
Thea Gagate knows exactly what it feels like to be a hopeful in the Premier Volleyball League Draft, and now, she’s offering advice to the 60 aspirants trying their luck this June 8 at Novotel.
Gagate, the first overall pick in last year’s draft, had some words of wisdom for the incoming batch as they prepare for the PVL Draft Combine on Friday and Saturday at Paco Arena.
FULL LIST: 2025 PVL Rookie Draft Aspirants
“I wish all of them the best of luck. Don’t overthink things too much. Even if things don’t go as expected, everything will work out in the long run,” said Gagate in Filipino after being named Rookie of the Year at the Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night on Wednesday.
The three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker from La Salle was selected first overall by ZUS Coffee in the inaugural Rookie Draft. She immediately made her presence felt, helping turn a winless squad into a playoff contender in the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference. Gagate also won a Best Middle Blocker award in her rookie season.
Awardees of the inaugural PVL Press Corps Awards Night along with the members of the Press Corps. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Looking ahead to the new draft class, Gagate couldn’t hide her excitement over the deep talent pool led by three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen and her former La Salle teammates Alleiah Malaluan, Jyne Soreño, Jules Tolentino, and Jessa Ordiales.
READ: Thea Gagate earns PVL Press Corps Rookie of the Year honors
“I’m super excited! A lot of UAAP stars are entering the draft, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them. I hope I get to play with some of my former teammates again here at ZUS,” she said.
Gagate, who continues to improve her game not just for ZUS Coffee but also for the national team, is excited to play with her new teammates at Alas Pilipinas when they compete in several international tournaments this year in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in November.
“Our national team pool is really exciting right now, especially since it includes a mix of UAAP and PVL stars. As we get closer to the upcoming tournaments, training is getting tougher, but overall, I’m just really looking forward to it,” Gagate said.
“Personally, I always remind myself that I can’t do it all on my own. I really look up to my older teammates because they’ve had more experience with international games. I’m just really grateful that they’re there to guide and support us.”
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Alas Pilipinas will compete in the AVC Nations League, where it won bronze last year, followed by a VTV International Cup campaign both in Vietnam in June.
