Galeries Tower rookie Jewel Encarnacion gamely takes on the challenge to fill the Highrisers’ offensive gaps for their next conference.
Jewel Encarnacion went full circle on Tuesday against the Capital1 Solar Spikers with a PVL career-high 19 points. From being the first PVL Draft product to score this season, she’s set a standard for her classmates to follow.
She now becomes a silver lining for Galeries Tower to build upon despite a winless Reinforced Conference run.
“Very thankful ako na nabigyan ako ng chance ng coaches na makapaglaro. At binigyan ako ng signal na laruin mo lang ‘yung laro mo,” said Encarnacion, the 15th overall pick in the inaugural PVL Draft.
Encarnacion also lauded the Highrisers’ culture. Even with rookie jitters, and pressure to deliver, her ates were there to calm her nerves down. They didn’t hold back in uplifting her either.
“Andun sila para pakalmahin ako. Para iangat lalo ‘yung yung nararamdaman ko. And lift up yung morale ko. So parang galing lang nilang i-handle ako kapag nag-error ako. And very kind sila, very generous din magbigay ng complements if I’m doing a good job,” said the former UP Lady Maroon.
“Ayan, I’m very happy na kahit rookie ako, naka-contribute ako sa team. And nakikita ko na nakakabuo ako ng chemistry with the players. And nakakapag-adjust na rin ako sa system.”
Throughout preliminaries, Galeries forced several five-set contests. Top-ranked Akari and Cignal were among the teams they pushed to the brink before flaming out in the endgame.
With this, head coach Lerma Giron emphasized the need for a go-to offensive player. Besides the lack of a closer, they will also lose Thai import Sutadta Jarawat, who led the Highrisers with her veteran smarts.
Encarnacion is up to the task of filling up these gaps. It’s a long road, but she has her foundations to lean on.
“I don’t want to settle for less. ‘Yun nga sabi ko nung drafting, I want to make history with this team. And I can see that we have a really, really big potential. And as you all saw, we have so many five sets that we could’ve won. Nauna kami. Nahirapan lang kami maghanap nang panapos,” she said.
“So I’m gonna work on myself so I can contribute in that aspect.”
Encarnacion will also apply her learnings from Sutadta, who she’s formed a bond with. Even with a language barrier, watching Sutadta is already a treasure trove of knowledge.
For instance, Encarnacion learned that efficient spiking isn’t all about power. It’s a major learning, as she came into Galeries with hard spiking tendencies. In Giron’s words, “Lahat nang bola gusto niya putukin eh.”
“Watching her [Sutadta], sobrang natuwa ako. She’s very smart. Sometimes, she wouldn’t even jump high. Padadaanin niya lang sa kamay ng blockers…Sobrang na-amaze ako! And I hope na maretain ko lahat ng natutunan ko from her,” an emotional Encarnacion said.
“And sana makuha din ‘yun ng teammates ko. So yan, I’m very up for the challenge. And very motivated eh to grow and to fulfill, kung ano man yung maiiwan ni [Sutadta], sa team namin.”
‘Uy, kaya pala namin!’
Besides Encarnacion, the team will have other positives to build on. Defense is already solid, as it was refined in the Reinforced Conference leadup.
Galeries’ five-setters also shows their bright potential according to Giron.
“Uy, kaya pala namin! Wala pa kaming star player dyan. Wala pa kaming ganoon ka-dominant na player na sabihin natin yung may mga pangalan talaga. Meron kami star player kaso non-scoring [libero Alyssa Eroa]. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung lamang namin,” reflected Giron.
Now, it’s a matter of retooling their offense to match their exceptional defense. That, plus the arrival of third overall pick Julia Coronel should spice things up for the Highrisers.
“Siguro, mas maging consistent lang at ready, mag-accept yung mga players…i-welcome nila, i-embrace nila ‘yung pressure. Pag natutunan na yun, yun talagang, ‘di lang sabay, talagang sasalpukin nila yung kalaban,” said Giron.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.