Gagate, Coronel given reprieve in PVL draft

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DUE to their national team commitments, Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel were permitted by the Philippine Volleyball League to skip the last day of the PVL Rookie Draft Combine at the Gameville Ballpark in Mandaluyong yesterday.

“Due to the hectic national team commitments leading up to the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup, the PVL has decided to release the involvement of 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 on this matter,” added Malonzo, considering the international tournament will start on July 4.

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During the first batch of tests last Tuesday, Coronel partnered with Leila Cruz, Lucille Almonte, Razel Aldea, and Karen Verdeflor in facing off against Gagate, Maicah Larroza, Roma Mae Doromal, Nikka Yandoc, Pierre Abellana, and Steph Bustrillo.

Coronel excelled with a top score of 27.78 inches in the standard vertical jump and secured second place in both the vertical jump with approach (316.0 centimeters) and standing broad jump (248.9 cm).

Gagate led in physical metrics with a height of 189 centimeters, wingspan of 185 centimeters and topped the vertical jump with approach, achieving an impressive 317.0 cm.

Among those aspiring to join the country’s top women’s commercial league and who also displayed their wares were Jamie Solina of Marinduque and Filipino-Canadian Aleiah Torres.

“Sobrang saya po kasi nung pag-pasa ko po kasi ng requirements, parang sinabi ko ‘no expectations’ kasi siyempre we all know naman po na UAAP and NCAA draftees ang madalas makapasa,” said the 5-foo1 Solina, a setter.

A libero, the 5-foot-7 Torres is glad at the opportunity to possibly play in the PVL.

“I don’t really have too many expectations. I just came to have lots of fun and play really good volleyball. Hopefully, I can contribute to whatever team I get drafted to experience what the Philippines has to offer,” Torres said.

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