Offseason work propels Galeries Tower past Farm Fresh
Galeries Tower opened its PVL On Tour campaign with a statement victory on Saturday, defeating Farm Fresh, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum to earn a rare season-opening win.
The Highrisers relied on strong starts in the first and third sets before holding their nerve in a tightly contested fourth to complete the one-hour, 57-minute victory and join Creamline and ZUS Coffee atop the early standings.
Head coach Clarence Esteban said the match validated the work the team had put in during the preseason.
“I told the players this was where we would see if the skills we worked hard on before the season would translate in games,” Esteban said. “They showed their desire to win today. Farm Fresh is a tough team, so I’m grateful the players persevered and earned this victory.”
Roselle Baliton sealed the win with a quick attack off a one-handed set from rookie playmaker Lams Lamina after a lengthy rally. Farm Fresh challenged for a possible net violation, but a video review confirmed Baliton had not touched the net.
Galeries Tower dictated the tempo early, racing to a 7-0 lead in the opening set as Farm Fresh struggled to settle into the match. The Highrisers repeated the feat in the third, building a 13-7 advantage before restoring their two-sets-to-one lead.
Farm Fresh fought back in the second set as Galeries Tower committed 13 errors, including six consecutive service errors after an 8-all tie, allowing the Foxies to level the match.
The fourth set remained close throughout. Aiza Pontillas gave the Highrisers a 21-19 lead with consecutive attacks before Royse Tubino and Mylene Paat-Rezanova answered to tie the score.
Jean Asis and Erika Deloria restored Galeries Tower’s advantage, while Lycha Ebon pushed the Highrisers to match point. Ces Molina and Riri Meneses kept Farm Fresh alive, but Ebon delivered another crucial attack before Lamina found Baliton for the winning play.
Deloria led Galeries Tower with 24 points on 22 attacks, while adding 10 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions. Pontillas scored 13 points, while Asis and Baliton contributed nine each. Ebon and Jade Gentapa finished with seven points apiece.
The Highrisers dominated the attack department, 65-51, and outblocked the Foxies, 9-4.
Last season’s MVP Trisha Tubu was limited to six points in three sets for Farm Fresh. Tubino paced the Foxies with 12 points, Ara Galang added 11 and Paat-Rezanova chipped in eight.
Veteran setter Jules Coronel directed Galeries Tower’s offense with 21 excellent sets before Lamina delivered the decisive assist, while Louie Romero recorded 13 excellent sets for Farm Fresh.
