Filipino middle blocker Thea Gagate is taking her game overseas after signing with Denso Airybees for the 2026–27 Japan S.V. League season, the club announced Friday.
“We would like to thank you for your warm support to Denso Airybees. We would like to inform you that we have decided to sign Thea Allison Gagate,” the Japanese club said in an Instagram post.
Thea Gagate Joins Exclusive List
The 6-foot-2 blocker becomes the latest Filipino to compete in Japan’s premier professional volleyball league, joining the growing list of Pinoy standouts who have suited up in the country, including Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Jia De Guzman, Maddie Madayag, Brian Castro, and Sachi Minowa.
Gagate also becomes the third Filipino to wear the Denso Airybees jersey, following De Guzman and Minowa.
The former La Salle standout is currently in Vietnam with the national team, Alas Pilipinas, competing in the 2026 SEA Women’s V Cup.
Her move overseas also leaves ZUS Coffee with a significant void in the middle as the Thunderbelles continue their PVL On Tour campaign. The team is expected to lean on Zam Nolasco, Riza Nogales, and rookie Alyanna Ong to bolster the middle, while converted opposite hitter AC Miner provides additional frontcourt depth.
ZUS Coffee wraps up its PVL On Tour schedule against PLDT on August 8 in Santiago, Isabela, before Gagate officially begins her stint in Japan.
