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Tag: Thea Gagate

  • Thea Gagate secures first overseas stint with Japan SV.LEAGUE club Denso Airybees

    Thea Gagate secures first overseas stint with Japan SV.LEAGUE club Denso Airybees

    Fresh from helping establish herself as one of the Premier Volleyball League’s rising middle blockers, Thea Gagate will continue her career overseas after signing with Japan SV.League club Denso Airybees for the 2026-27 season.

     

    The Japanese club officially announced Gagate’s arrival on Friday, adding another promising Filipino talent to its roster.

     

    “We would like to thank you for your warm support to Denso Airybees. We would like to inform you that we have decided to sign Thea Allison Gagate,” Denso Airybees said in a social media post.

     

    The move places Gagate in familiar company as she becomes the third Filipino to suit up for Denso Airybees, following Jia De Guzman and Jaja Santiago, now known as Sachi Minowa. 

     

    Her signing also expands the growing list of Filipinos who have earned opportunities in Japan’s premier volleyball league, joining Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Sachi Minowa, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jia De Guzman, Maddie Madayag, and Brian Castro.

     

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    For Gagate, joining one of Japan’s established clubs represents more than just her first overseas stint—it is an opportunity to continue developing against some of Asia’s top professional players.

     

    “I am incredibly excited to join the Denso Airybees family! This club has a history of excellence and a tradition of playing with collective energy. Joining the league with them is a massive opportunity,” Gagate said.

     

    “I see so much potential in what this squad can achieve, and I’m ready to give everything I have to contribute to that legacy. Let’s build something unforgettable.”

     

    Before turning professional, Gagate built an impressive résumé at De La Salle University. She captured three UAAP championships, winning two titles with the Lady Bullpups before helping the Lady Spikers reclaim the women’s volleyball crown.

     

    Her move overseas also creates a significant void for ZUS Coffee, where she emerged as one of the anchors of the Thunderbelles’ formidable middle rotation in the Premier Volleyball League.

     

    With Gagate departing, ZUS Coffee is expected to lean on Zam Nolasco, Riza Nogales, and rookie Alyanna Ong to handle the middle, while converted opposite hitter AC Miner offers another option at the net.

     

    The Thunderbelles remain in the middle of their PVL On Tour campaign and are scheduled to wrap up their preliminary schedule against PLDT on August 8 in Santiago, Isabela, while Gagate begins preparing for the biggest chapter of her volleyball career in Japan.

     

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  • Thea Gagate steps up as Alas Pilipinas finds its footing again

    Thea Gagate steps up as Alas Pilipinas finds its footing again

    For a young national team still searching for consistency, leadership often reveals itself in the moments immediately after disappointment.

     

    That was exactly the situation facing Alas Pilipinas following its painful five-set collapse against Australia, a match that slipped away after the Filipinas held a two-sets-to-one advantage. Less than 24 hours later, the squad returned to the floor with little time to dwell on what could have been.

     

    What followed was a statement performance.

     

    Powered by one of her strongest outings of the tournament, Thea Gagate helped steer Alas Pilipinas to a convincing 25-9, 25-11, 25-17 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Monday at the Candon City Arena, lifting the host nation to a 2-1 record in Pool A of the 2026 AVC Women’s Volleyball Cup.

     

    The victory was more than just another mark in the win column. It was a response from a team determined not to let one difficult night define its campaign.

     

    At the center of that response was Gagate.

     

    After being limited to seven points against Australia, the 6-foot-2 middle blocker reasserted her presence on both ends of the floor. She controlled the middle with timely blocks, finished attacks efficiently, and provided stability to a lineup looking to regain its confidence.

     

    Gagate finished with 11 points on eight attacks, two blocks, and one ace, leading a balanced Alas attack that overwhelmed Kyrgyzstan from the opening whistle.

     

    Yet the former top overall PVL Draft pick viewed the performance less as an individual breakthrough and more as a reflection of the team’s ability to learn from adversity.

     

    “Inisip lang namin ‘yung mga lapses namin nung last game, and ginawan lang namin ng paraan para maka-recover and mabalik ‘yung kumpyansa ng bawat isa,” said Gagate.

     

    “Well, iniisip lang talaga namin ‘yung sarili namin, ‘yung teammates namin. Siyempre, nandoon din ‘yung tiwala ng bawat isa and especially sa coaches. Malaking bagay kasi sila rin ‘yung naghe-help sa amin maging buo as a team.”

     

    While much of the current roster is still building chemistry on the international stage, Gagate occupies a unique position within the program.

     

    She is one of only two remaining players from the Alas Pilipinas squad that competed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, joining fellow holdover Alyssa Solomon. That experience has naturally elevated her role within a roster blending veterans, collegiate standouts, and first-time national team players. 

     

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    Alongside team captain Alyssa Valdez, veteran hitters Jovelyn Gonzaga and Ces Molina, Gagate has quietly become one of the pillars helping guide the new-look national team through the demands of international competition.

     

    The responsibility is something she has embraced.

     

    “For me, gusto ko lang talaga ibigay ‘yung best ko and gusto ko lang din ma-apply ‘yung mga natutunan ko nga in the past tournaments sa national team. And hopefully, mas marami pa akong maipakita, especially sa upcoming games since important din ‘yung games na ‘yun,” she said.

     

    “Well, siguro puwede kong ibigay sa kanila ‘yung mga natutunan ko in the past leagues sa national team, lalo na sa mga bata. And siyempre tina-try ko rin ‘yung best ko na ibigay lahat.”

     

    The timing of Gagate’s performance could not have been better.

     

    With South Korea looming as the next challenge, Alas Pilipinas enters one of its most important matches of the preliminary round carrying renewed momentum and confidence. And as the tournament progresses, the Filipinas will continue to rely on players who can help transform difficult lessons into immediate growth.

     

    Against Kyrgyzstan, Gagate showed exactly what that looks like. One day after a heartbreaking defeat, she helped lead a team that looked ready to move forward.

     

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