HERE THEY RISE
Based on their performance in the preliminary round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference—and even counting how they fared since joining the league, the Galeries Tower Highrisers would expectedly rank low on everyone’s list of teams that would advance to the quarterfinals.
On Thursday night, Alyssa Eroa and her teammates ripped up those lists.
“We had played so many games, why wouldn’t we want to win this one?” an emotional Eroa said after her team stunned a depleted No. 3-ranked Cignal squad, 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, at PhilSports Arena.
“We really wanted [to win before], but we kept wondering why we always fell just short. Why couldn’t we reach that next level? That’s where we drew our strength,” said France Ronquillo, who delivered 20 points from 18 kills, a block, and an ace, along with 13 excellent receptions.
Ronquillo also sealed the match with a game-icing kill.
Expectations defied
Finishing the classification phase with just one win in 11 games and landing at No. 10, Galeries Tower defied expectations, securing its biggest achievement since joining the league by clinching a quarterfinal spot.
“There was a time we questioned ourselves because it felt like all our hard work wasn’t leading anywhere,” said Ysa Jimenez, who led the Highrisers with 23 points, all but one from attacks.
“But we held on to the belief that everything happens for a reason. Like they say, if something is meant for you, it will come,” she added.
With the play-in tournament up next, Galeries Tower has time to savor its improbable feat. The team now awaits the winner between Farm Fresh and Akari for its quarterfinal matchup starting March 15.
Playing in just its third conference, Galeries Tower had never come close to making the playoffs. But this determined stand guarantees at least an eighth-place finish.
With nothing to lose, the hungry and prepared Highrisers played with everything to gain—and everything fell into place for the milestone win.
“Coach told us there was no pressure. Just enjoy the game because we had nothing to lose, and we were confident in our preparation,” Jimenez said.
“I believe success doesn’t happen overnight. When we won our first game, that’s what I said, and it still holds true. This is all part of the process,” coach Lerma Giron added.
“In the past, we were always ‘close-but-not-quite’ there because we weren’t complete. But now, I see it in my players and coaching staff. Though we’re still far from perfection, we’ve found unity.”
“Before, we played with different goals. Now, we’re all on the same page, and this is the result. It’s a process.”
