The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference brought a unique twist to the journey of Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel. Once inseparable as teammates with La Salle and Alas Pilipinas, the two now find themselves on opposite sides of the net as professional rivals.
Last Thursday night, the 6-foot-2 Gagate, ZUS Coffee’s top overall pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft, faced off against Coronel and her Galeries Tower squad in a match that was as much a reunion as it was a rivalry. It marked the first time the former teammates competed against each other, a moment Gagate described as both thrilling and nostalgic.
“Exciting lang din kasi pinag-usapan namin ito before. Happy lang din ako sa na-improve ni Julia so far and excited lang din ako sa upcoming transition namin sa pro league,” shared Gagate, beaming with pride over Coronel’s growth and significant role in the Highrisers' lineup.
For Gagate, the match was more than just a personal milestone. It also marked a new chapter for the Thunderbelles, who secured their second consecutive win with a commanding 25-22, 25-16, 25-19 sweep of Galeries Tower. The victory ended a grueling 20-game losing streak spanning the 2024 All-Filipino Conference and the early stages of this tournament.
Gagate was instrumental in the win, tallying nine points, including three emphatic kill blocks. On the other side, Coronel showed flashes of brilliance with eight excellent sets, though her Highrisers suffered their fourth straight loss.
For Gagate, these victories are part of a larger mission to help rebuild and energize the young Thunderbelles franchise. “Yes, of course, ‘yun ‘yung personally ‘yung goal ko din – makatulong talaga para makakuha ng panalo sa team namin. And although we’re a new team, parang halos lahat kami puro bata, we just wanted to give a new energy for this conference,” she explained.
Since earning their first franchise win on November 18 against Nxled, ZUS Coffee has been riding high. Thursday’s sweep was not only a confidence booster but also a milestone – the team’s first back-to-back victories and their first time sweeping an opponent in the league.
Gagate credited the team’s recent success to their collective effort, emphasizing the unity among players, coaches, and management. “Happy ako kasi na-translate namin kung ano ‘yung pinagta-trainingan namin so far, so hopefully lang tuloy-tuloy ‘yung transition and para makakuha ng more wins,” she said.
“Thankful ako siyempre sa mga kasama ko kasi ginugusto din nilang maglaro para sa team. Hindi lang naman ‘yun ‘yung goal ko, it’s a team effort talaga, so happy lang din ako na pati coaches, management, players – gusto talaga nilang ayusin and buuin para maging malakas pa kami as a team,” she added.
