ZUS Coffee Thunderbelle’s Thea Gagate in a game against Petro Gazz Angels during a PVL All-Filipino game. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate proved to be as good as advertised following a stellar debut season in the professional ranks.
The towering middle blocker lived up to the hype of her much-anticipated entry to the Premier Volleyball League, delivering major contributions that helped turn ZUS Coffee’s fortunes around after selecting her as the top overall pick in the inaugural Rookie Draft last year.
READ: PVL: Thea Gagate eager to show more after much-awaited debut
Her impact on the Thunderbelles and the league made her the hands-down choice for Rookie of the Year honors at the upcoming Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night, set for May 28 at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Quezon City.
Gagate’s presence powered ZUS Coffee to its first-ever playoff appearance in the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference.
Thea Gagate, the first overall pick of the inaugural draft, wins the Rookie of the Year. #PVL2025 #PVLPCAwards | 📸: PVL Press Corps via @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/wxsTTigcj6
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 23, 2025
The three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker from La Salle led the Thunderbelles’ rise from a winless squad in their first two seasons to playoff contenders. They survived the Play-In round and pushed eventual champion Petro Gazz to the limit in the quarterfinals.
Gagate earned the historic recognition in the formal awards rites presented by ArenaPlus, finishing with a weighted score of 148.1 points in the selection that factored in 50 percent statistics, 30 percent media votes, and 20 percent team votes.
READ: Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign
She topped all departments with 46.6 statistical points, 65.7 from media votes, and 35.8 from team votes—beating Cignal’s All-Filipino top rookie Ishie Lalongisip (125.8), PLDT setter Angge Alcantara (105.5), and ZUS teammate Shar Ancheta (99.6).
In her rookie campaign during the All-Filipino Conference, Gagate led the league in total blocks with 48 and ranked second in blocks per set with a 0.74 average. She was also the top scorer among middle blockers and 14th overall with 190 points, earning 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 en route to Petro Gazz’s maiden All-Filipino crown.
Pons followed with 150.49 points, capping a grand slam season that included Reinforced Conference MVP and Finals MVP honors.
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelle’s Thea Gagate against Capital1 Solar Spikers’ Leila Cruz during a PVL All-Filipino Conference play-in game. –PVL PHOTO
In the middle blocker position, PLDT’s Majoy Baron and Creamline’s Bea De Leon stood out with 232.4 and 229.4 weighted scores, respectively, for their defensive command and timely attacks.
Trisha Tubu of Farm Fresh claimed the Best Opposite Hitter award with a season-high 419.8 total points, establishing herself as one of the most dominant scorers of the year.
Cignal’s Gel Cayuna earned Best Setter honors with 326.4 points, steering her team’s offense with poise and tactical awareness.
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Rounding out the elite selection was libero and Comeback Player of the Year Alyssa Eroa, who amassed 266.0 points thanks to her sharp court instincts and unwavering defense during her stint with Galeries Tower.
The awards night for the pioneering volleyball league organized by Sports Vision marks a milestone for the PVL and its Press Corps in recognizing the league’s top individual performers from the 2024 Reinforced Conference to the 2025 All-Filipino Conference.
