Thea Gagate joins Denso AiryBees in Japan SV.League

Alas Pilipinas standout Thea Gagate. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate became the latest Filipino import of the Denso AiryBees in the upcoming SV.League season in Japan.

The AiryBees officially welcomed the Alas Pilipinas middle blocker on Friday.

READ: Thea Gagate hopes to show more after best game for Alas Pilipinas

Gagate is the third Filipino to play for Denso after Jia De Guzman, who played for two seasons, and Jaja Santiago (Sachi Minowa), who served as their reinforcement last year.

LOOK: Thea Gagate will play for the Denso AiryBees in the next SV.League season. | 📷: Denso Airy Bees via @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/n77IkqbusE

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) July 31, 2026

“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,” Gagate said in a statement.

“Joining the league with them is a massive opportunity. 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.”

The 6-foot-2 middle blocker is the lone Japan women’s SV.League import so far. Santiago, meanwhile, is set to play in the US. Bryan Bagunas and Ateneo middle blocker Brian Castro will play in the men’s division.

Gagate joins an elite list of Japan league Filipino imports including Marck Espejo, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Maddie Madayag, and Alyssa Solomon.

The former La Salle star will play in the Alas Pilipinas campaign in the SEA V Cup in Vietnam for Leg 1. She’s also part of the Asian Games pool.

ZUS Coffee, which drafted Gagate at No.1 in 2024 and eventually emerged as the top rookie of her class, will bank on younger middle blockers Zam Nolasco, Riza Nogales, and rookie Alyanna Ong, as Gagate lives her overseas dream.