THE National University (NU) Lady Junior Bulldogs will be gunning for a rare grand slam when the brand new season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) girls volleyball tournament opens this September.
Expected to lead the charge for NU is Cebuana Thea Allison Gagate, a six-foot-one middle blocker.
Gagate had a remarkable campaign last year that saw her winning the Rookie of the Year award.
Perhaps unknown to many, Gagate was having an illustrious modeling career before she became one of the country’s top high school volleyball players.
Gagate first suited up for the University of San Carlos elementary volleyball team. Her career blossomed with the help of mother.
“My biggest challenge as a volleyball player is time, because I need to manage first my studies then training. And also I stopped my modeling career to focus more on my volleyball career,” Gagate said.
Gagate, 15, admitted she initially had trouble adjusting to the style of play in Manila but managed to keep up by listening to her coach. “Sa una lisod sad kay syempre lahi to na lugar and di pa sad kaayo ko kahibalo mu-Tagalog ato. Ang sistema kay lisod siya, pero ang sistema man gud nila coaches kay basic skills sa niya hinay hinay hangtud makat-on ka.”
Gagate admitted feeling the pressure in helping the Bulldogs win three straight titles, but she remains upbeat that they can pull off the daunting task. I will just try to stay calmed and relaxed, do my job in the training and of course with the help of God,” she said.
Earlier this week, Gagate was named as the Best Middle Blocker in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League of Champions where she helped NU finish second.