Thea Gagate during the PVL Rookie Draft at Novotel Manila Araneta City on July 8, 2024. Photo from PVL Media Group
MANILA (UPDATED) – The Premier Volleyball League marked a milestone Monday as it held its inaugural Rookie Draft at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
The event is poised to help struggling teams fill much-needed talent to actively compete in the upcoming 2024 Reinforced Conference.
READ: PVL: ZUS Coffee targets Thea Gagate as No. 1 pick of Rookie Draft, says Yee
READ: Thea Gagate grateful for Coach Ramil's 'blessing' ahead of PVL Draft
As expected, ZUS Coffee (formerly Strong Group Athletics), which had the opportunity to get the first overall pick, selected Alas Pilipinas standout and De La Salle University's Thea Gagate.
SGA previously finished 12th after a winless campaign in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, and now pins its hopes on Gagate to improve their ranking in the PVL.
"Of course, I'm very grateful and honored na ako yung first pick nila. Na-appreciate ko na na-appreciate nila yung efforts ko as an athlete," Gagate told reporters.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker hopes the team would trust her.
"I just hope na they'll trust me and I'll do my best to lift the team and put their rank up," Gagate said as she was welcomed by the Thunderbelles.
Three more De La Salle players were chosen in the top 4, namely opposite hitter Leila Cruz (Capital1), setter Julia Coronel (Galeries), and Maicah Larroza (Farm Fresh Foxies).
Adamson's Lucille Almonte was the fifth overall pick by Nxled, while Steph Bustrillo of the University of the Philippines was chosen by Akari at sixth.
Seventh pick Ishie Lalongisip landed on Cignal, while Angge Alcantara is newest setter of PLDT, and Karen Verdeflor is now a defensive specialist for Chery Tiggo.
For the 10th overall pick, Petro Gazz has chosen outside hitter AA Adolfo, and Choco Mucho selected Arellano University middle blocker Lorraine Pecana.
Meanwhile, Alyssa Valdez hugged Aleiah Torres of Brock University as she was welcomed by the Phenom to the Creamline nest.
In the next rounds, ZUS Coffee nabbed the services of Sharya Ancheta, Nikka Yandoc, and Jenina Zeta, while former Ateneo captain Roma Mae Doromal and Gilliana Torres will be joining Cruz and coach Roger Gorayeb in Capital1.
Galeries has also acquired the services of UP's Jewel Encarnacion, Dodee Batindaan, and Danivah Aying, while UST's Pierre Abellana was drafted by the Foxies.
Razel Aldea and Donnalyn Paralejas were also selected by Nxled and Petro Gazz, respectively.
Among 47 hopefuls, only 23 draftees made it to the professional league.
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