THEA Gagate will keep the Philippine flag flying in the Japan SV.League on her own after signing with Denso Airybees for the 2026-27 season.
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker becomes the lone Filipina in Japan's top professional league, taking over the mantle following Jia de Guzman's departure from Denso and return to the PVL.
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Gagate's signing also strengthens the Airybees Filipino lineage, as she is the third Philippine player to don the team's jersey after de Guzman and Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa).
Overall, she is the sixth Filipina to earn a contract in the SV.League, also joining the likes of Alyssa Solomon, Maddie Madayag, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
"I am incredibly excited to join the Denso Airybees family! This club has a history of excellence and a tradition of playing with collective energy. Joining the league with them is a massive opportunity," Gagate said.
"I see so much potential in what this squad can achieve, and I’m ready to give everything I have to contribute to that legacy. Let’s build something unforgettable."
Philippines' latest import
Gagate heads overseas armed with an impressive resumé, highlighted by four UAAP Best Middle Blocker awards, one with NU-Nazareth School in the juniors and three with La Salle in the seniors.
She also won three UAAP championships, claiming two titles with the Lady Bullpups before helping the Lady Spikers return to the throne.
The overseas stint will temporarily sideline her PVL career with ZUS Coffee, where the first-ever No. 1 draft pick contributed in the Thunderbelles' franchise-best runner-up finish in the 2025 Reinforced Conference.
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