ZUS Espresso’s Thea Gagate and Capital1’s Leila Cruz.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — From La Salle teammates to professional opponents, ZUS Espresso’s first total decide Thea Gagate relished her first duel with Capital1’s high rookie Leila Cruz within the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Convention on Saturday night time at Philsports Area.
ZUS Espresso could have dominated Capital1 after a neck-and-neck first set with a 31-29, 25-15, 25-15 sweep however Gagate loved her first PVL sport in opposition to fellow ex-Girl Spiker Cruz.
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“Thrilling lang kasi first time nga namin and medyo naninibago pa kami sa ganitong arrange since matagal kaming magkasama nung faculty. Parang excited lang kami sa expertise sa PVL,” mentioned Gagate, who dropped eight factors together with two blocks.
READ: PVL: ZUS Espresso regains profitable contact, sweeps Capital1
“Completely satisfied lang din kami kung saan kami ngayon and nagkakamustahan and nagwi-wish kami ng better of luck sa isa’t isa.”
Cruz, who noticed restricted motion attributable to a minor knee drawback and had 4 factors, was additionally pleased with Gagate after they turned professional and have become the primary two picks of the first-ever Rookie Draft final yr.
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“Tremendous grateful na nakakalaro ko pa rin si Thea and blissful na kahit sa different facet na siya, a minimum of we nonetheless have that connection namin sa La Salle,” mentioned the Capital1 rookie.
Gagate missed the Bolstered Convention attributable to her stint with Alas Pilipinas, whereas Cruz was an important a part of the Photo voltaic Spikers’ spectacular run within the import-laden event, main her staff to a breakthrough quarterfinal look with Marina Tushova.
Each La Salle stars final performed collectively within the UAAP Season 85 in 2023 just for Cruz to endure an ACL damage. The Girl Spikers gained the championship in the identical yr however settled for bronze final yr.
READ: PVL: Gagate will get higher of ex-teammate Coronel in ZUS win
Now on completely different paths, Gagate, a three-time UAAP Finest Center Blocker, charged each sport to her expertise because the younger Thunderbelles proceed to develop and enhance with a 3-4 report.
“Grateful ako na nakapag-experience ako ng ganung degree of video games, particularly nung nagka-five setter kami each groups,” mentioned Gagate, following a pair of five-set losses to Creamline and Choco Mucho. “Malaking bagay siya for me as a rookie and in addition ‘yung expertise ko nung nationwide staff kasi a minimum of in that sport conscious ako sa tendencies ng mga naging teammates ko nun so malaking bagay talaga siya.”
Cruz, for her half, appears to be like to deal with their lapses as Capital1 slid to a 1-1 report however she remained pleased with the brand new volleyball staff, which celebrated its first anniversary regardless of its All-Filipino struggles.
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“Siguro ‘yung court docket consciousness and ‘yung service-receive namin. Much less errors din siguro (dapat) for us kasi nicely sa service-receive, du’n talaga nag-sstart. Want talaga namin ‘yun ma-work on and fewer errors,” she mentioned. “After a yr, marami nang modifications and enhancements naman so sobrang proud ako with our staff. Siguro till now, want lang namin maging in step with our laro para mas makakuha ng maraming wins.”