By Jean Malanum
MANILA – ZUS Coffee’s Thea Gagate made an impressive debut in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), bagging the Rookie of the Year honors in the Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night on May 28 at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City.
The No. 1 overall pick in the inaugural Rookie Draft last Year led the Thunderbelles to their first-ever playoff appearance in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference.
The 6-foot-2 Gagate, a three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker from De La Salle University, had a weighted score of 148.1 points in the selection which factors in 50% statistics, 30% media votes, and 20% team votes.
She 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 had a total of 48 blocks, 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, bannered by two-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz and Bernadeth Pons of Creamline, both named Best Outside Hitters.
Van Sickle led all outside hitters with a weighted score of 195.36 points while Pons tallied 150.49 points.
PLDT’s Majoy Baron and Creamline’s Bea De Leon dominated the middle blocker position with 232.4 and 229.4 weighted scores, respectively.
Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh earned the Best Opposite Hitter award with a season-high 419.8 total points; Gel Cayuna of Cignal got the Best Setter award with 326.4 points; and Libero Alyssa Eroa of Galeries Tower scored 266.0 points to win the Comeback Player of the Year award. (PNA)
