PVL excuses Gagate
THE Premier Volleyball League yesterday excused presumptive No. 1 overall rookie draft selection Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel, a potential first round pick, in light of their commitments to the Philippine women’s volleyball team, in the final day of the Combine.
With rigorous preparations underway for the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup scheduled from July 4-7, Gagate and Coronel were done for the day after completing one scrimmage match due to the physical demands of national team trainings.
“Due to the hectic national team commitments leading up to the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup, the PVL has decided to limit the involvement of Alas Pilipinas members Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel on the second day of the Rookie Draft Combine,” said PVL commissioner Sherwin Malonzo.
“The PVL fully supports the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and the national women’s team program,” he added.
During the first scrimmage of the day at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City, Coronel partnered with Leila Cruz, Lucille Almonte, Razel Aldea, and Karen Verdeflor, facing off against Gagate, Maicah Larroza, Roma Mae Doromal, Nikka Yandoc, Pierre Abellana, and Steph Bustrillo.
Both Coronel and Gagate actively participated on the first day of the Combine held on Tuesday.
Coronel excelled with a top score of 27.78 inches in the standard vertical jump, securing second place in both the vertical jump with approach (316.0 cm) and standing broad jump (248.9 cm).
Meanwhile, Gagate led in physical metrics with a height of 189 cm and wingspan of 185 cm. She also topped the vertical jump with approach, achieving an impressive 317.0 cm.
The inaugural rookie draft is set on July 8 with ZUS Coffee picking first with the intention of getting the 6-foot-2 Gagate.
Coronel, a college and Alas teammate of Gagate, is expected to figure prominently in the first round of the draft.
Capital1 will have the second overall pick, followed by Galeries Tower and Farm Fresh.
Completing the draft order are Nxled, Akari, Cignal, PLDT, Chery Tiggo, PetroGazz, Choco Mucho and Creamline.
