Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz go 1-2 in PVL Rookie Draft
Thea Gagate, as expected, is taken first overall by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft at Novotel in Quezon City.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — There were no surprises in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft after Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz emerged as the top two picks on Monday night at Novotel in Quezon City.
ZUS Coffee and Capital1 will bank on their rookies to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming Reinforced Conference on July 16 at PhilSports Arena.
The 6-foot-2 Gagate, who was already revealed as ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee’s pick in the two-day combine two weeks ago, will bring her towering height and winning pedigree as a key cog in La Salle’s championship run in last year’s UAAP Season 85 and as part of Alas Pilipinas’ historic bronze medal finish in the AVC Challenge Cup.
READ: Thea Gagate eager to help ZUS Coffee rise after winless campaign
The Thunderbelles, formerly Strong Group Athletics, are hopeful that the three-time UAAP 1st Best Middle Blocker can make an immediate impact after a winless All-Filipino Conference campaign as she teams up with three-time NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde players Gayle Pascual, Cloanne Mondoñedo, Jade Gentapa, and Michelle Gamit as well as Japanese reinforcement Asaka Tamaru.
The No. 2 pick Cruz is starting a new chapter in her career as a Solar Spiker, returning to action following an ACL injury she sustained in the UAAP Season 85.
Leila Cruz is selected second in the PVL Rookie Draft by Capital1.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The 6-foot-1 opposite spiker is set to bring her scoring prowess and blocking to coach Roger Gorayeb’s squad, which added setter Iris Tolenada, Shola Alvarez, and Julia Ipac as well as Russian spiker Marina Tushova after a one-win debut in the first conference.
READ: PVL: ‘Fully recovered’ Leila Cruz gets chance at comeback
