Fifth overall PVL pick, AC Miner, is excited to team up with Thea Gagate at ZUS Coffee

The second Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft was held on Sunday, June 8, at the Novotel Manila hotel in Quezon City, amid great fanfare and high expectations for the 60 draft applicants.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) standout Bella Belen was selected as the first overall pick by the Capital1 Solar Spikers in an expected move, while the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles also secured one of their top choices by selecting AC Miner as the fifth overall pick.

Miner expressed her happiness at being chosen by ZUS Coffee, particularly because it means teaming up with PVL Rookie of the Year winner Thea Gagate for the Thunderbelles.

“I’m super excited to be teammates with Thea Gagate, especially since she was last year’s first-round pick and has won multiple UAAP awards. I’m really looking forward to working with her on the team,” Miner said during a media interaction.

Miner established herself as one of the standout players during her time with the Ateneo Lady Eagles, impressing many with her versatility as she played both middle blocker and opposite hitter in her final season.

AC Miner is excited to join Thea Gagate at ZUS Coffee. #PVLDraft2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xhbJ4Cn2zF

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 8, 2025

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Ateneo, it’s that nothing is ever certain—especially with everything that’s happened. Now, coming into this new team, I’m really hoping to help rebuild alongside the coaches and my new teammates,” she added.

The versatile rookie also expressed her gratitude for having her father, Clifford, present on what was a special night.

“I’m also really happy that my dad was able to be here tonight. It means a lot that he took the time to come and watch me get drafted. I’m just so thankful for everything that’s happened these past few days,” Miner said.

In addition to Miner, the Thunderbelles also drafted former NCAA MVP Mycah Go from the College of Saint Benilde in the third round, and Angela Jackson as their final pick. At 20 years old, Jackson became the youngest player to be drafted by a team.

Led by Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chai Toncoso, and Thea Gagate, the Thunderbelles aim to build on their promising run in the recently concluded PVL All-Filipino Conference.

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