Zus to build franchise around top PVL pick Gagate

MANILA, Philippines – Zus Coffee will try to build its franchise around Thea Gagate and turn its floundering fortunes around and compete for a better finish in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference unfurling July 16.

From finishing winless in 11 games in the All-Filipino Conference just a few months back, the Thunderbelles are expected to be the first out of the gate and challenge the league’s cream of the crop by plucking the towering, marauding Gagate, who joined a core consisting also of Cloanne Mondonedo, Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa and Michelle Gamit from reining NCAA champion College of St. Benilde.

“Aside from playing style, speed, accuracy and timing, I also want to make sure to work some more and work hard in everything that we do,” said Gagate.

Capital1 Solar went for La Salle middle blocker Leila Cruz at No. 2 and should fill its desperate need up front.

“I’m willing to fight for them,” said Cruz, who will join skipper Jorelle Singh, Iris Tolenada, Shola Alvarez and Russian Marina Tushova at the Solar Spikers’ fold with a goal of improving their 1-10 record last time.

Julia Coronel, a setter from Alas Pilipinas and La Salle, was nabbed at No. 3 by Galeries Tower, while another Maicah Larroza, another La Salle standout, was snagged at No. 4 by Farm Fresh.

Adamson’s Lucelle Almonte emerged as the No. 5 pick and went to the Nxled Chameleons.

Completing the first round were Steph Bustrillo by Akari at No. 6, Rochelle Lalongisip by Cignal at No. 7, Angelica Alcantara by PLDT at No. 8, Karen Verdaflor by Chery Tiggo at No. 9, Antonette Adolfo by Petro Gazz at No. 10, Lorraine Pecaña by Choco Mucho at No. 11 and Fil-Am Aleiah Torres by Creamline at No. 12.

Bustrillo should fill the void Fifi Sharma and Faith Nispero would temporary leave while fulfilling national team duties being a prolific scoring weapon from the frontline.

Torres, a libero from Brock University from Canada, also made heads turn after she impressed in the draft combine that Creamline picked her even though it already has two liberos in Denden Revilla and Kyla Atienza.

Torres also gushed at playing side by side with her idol, Creamline star and skipper Alyssa Valdez.