ONCE rookies trying to blaze their own trail, the time has come for La Salle aces Thea Gagate and incoming captain Julia Coronel to step up to the plate and lead the Lady Spikers' defense of the UAAP women's volleyball title.
Gagate, a two-time UAAP best middle blocker, knows all too well that as their 'ates' Mars Alba and Jolina Dela Cruz are no longer with them, they'll have to take over and be the leaders that the PVL-bound pair once were for them.
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"Iniisip lang namin na kaya namin kasi ngayon, panahon na namin ‘to. Tapos na ‘yung time nila ate Mars [Alba]. Ngayon, time na namin ni Julia [Coronel] to lead the team and we’re just very grateful that we’ve been given a chance," said Gagate.
"We’ll just always remind the younger batches na kaming ates, seniors ay nandito lang para sa kanila," she added.
New leader of the ship
Now taking over the captaincy from a fellow setter in Alba, Coronel shared how last season's Finals MVP made sure she'll be equipped with all that it takes to lead La Salle to championship glory once again.
"Nung past season, sila Ate (Mars and Jolina) talaga have been a big help sa pag-encourage sa akin, sa pagbibigay ng tips sa akin. Naging tulong din 'yun sa pag-prepare sa akin for this bigger role that I have right now," Coronel said.
"Lagi ko lang inaalala yung mga naging advice sa akin ni Ate Jols, Ate Mars and mga previous na seniors namin na naabutan ko pa sa team and 'yung kultura na naiwan nila. That’s also something that I want to implement sa team ko ngayon na gusto ko better pa 'yung maiwan kong culture or legacy," she added.
Difficult as the task may be of overcoming a hungry chasing pack led by vengeance-seeking National University, Gagate isn't running short of confidence to keep the crown in Taft for another year.
"We’re very confident for getting the back-to-back championships and we’ll definitely work hard for it together," she said.
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