Following her much-anticipated debut with the Galeries Tower Highrisers, third overall pick Julia Coronel is now determined to play her part in the team’s rise to PVL contention.
Well before becoming a national team setter and a pro volleyball player, Julia Coronel was once part of the La Salle Lady Spikers program under legendary head coach Ramil De Jesus in the UAAP.
Spending four seasons in Taft, Coronel had the privilege of learning under one of Philippine volleyball’s greatest head coaches. In her final year, the 23-year-old was also named team captain, and had the responsibility of steering the Lady Spikers’ offense in their repeat bid at the time.
Coronel went on to be picked third overall in the inaugural PVL Draft last July, forming part of La Salle’s “Fab Four” with first overall pick Thea Gagate, second overall pick Leila Cruz, and fourth overall pick Maicah Larroza.
So along with her Alas Pilipinas stint, it’s the lessons from La Salle and Coach RDJ that Coronel aspires to bring as she begins her professional volleyball career with the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
“Talagang ‘yung system ni Coach RDJ and ‘yung culture talaga na-instill niya sa amin and yung disiplina talaga...That’s something that I would say na nadala ng bawat Lasalian na nandito talaga sa pros. Parang sobrang laking bagay talaga ‘yun kasi ininstill niya rin talaga samin ‘yung winning culture, na hindi kami pwede basta-basta lang natatalo,” Coronel reflected following her PVL debut over the weekend against Akari.
“Kaya parang ‘yun din ‘yung dinadala ko sa team na kailangan namin maging ganun. I mean, sana madala ko pa po ‘yung winning culture [ng La Salle] sa team namin and ‘yung tapang kasi nga, bilog naman ‘yung bola and every team has a weakness. So we just have to figure out our strengths and maximize on the opponent’s weakness to get the win.”
Coronel had a promising debut for the Highrisers on Saturday, orchestrating nine excellent sets and scoring eight points in the four-set affair against Akari. Despite the loss, the 23-year-old considered it to be a good debut as she finally got her feet wet in the professional ranks.
The national team setter also showcased her versatility, playing as a spiker at some stretches of the two-hour and 12-minute contest.
“Well, ‘yung mga adjustments naman na ‘yun kasi pinapractice din naman talaga namin. And sinabi ko rin talaga kila coach [Lerma Giron] na kung kailangan nila akong spiker, willing naman din ako kasi parang I know na I’m also able to deliver in that department,” said Coronel, who showed her impressive vertical leap during the PVL Draft Combine last June.
“Kaya parang syempre ayoko naman maging selfish. Parang nireready ko lang din sarili ko na anytime na hugutin ako ni coach, gawin niya akong attacker also.”
Julia Coronel further reflected on her PVL debut as she observed the difference in terms of fan support and atmosphere. Despite her ongoing transition, she is excited nonetheless to thrive in this type of environment.
There is also the motivation from experiencing a higher level of competition in the professional ranks.
“Mas competitive talaga dito sa pro level dahil nga puro mga veterans na rin talaga ‘yung naglalaro sa liga. And kaya ako rin, parang mas nachallenge talaga ako na makipagsabayan,” she reflected.
While saddened by the loss, Coronel sees this as a learning experience for her young team. After all, her Highrisers took Set 1 against the Chargers, but the gap in experience proved to be too much for the game.
Galeries Tower almost forced a fifth set, but Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud came up with clutch kills to seal Akari’s opening day victory.
“Nakakuha rin kami ng isang set and nakadikit din kami nitong huli. Siguro nakita lang din namin what we need to work on…Parang pinagpray ko lang din talaga kay Lord na i-bless niya kami with what we deserve. And siguro, hindi pa talaga namin deserve ng panalo dahil marami pa kami kailangan i-work on, and ayun ‘yung gagawin namin sa ensayo,” she said.
Up next for Julia Coronel and Galeries Tower will be Choco Mucho Flying Titans on November 14 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan. There, Coronel will face off against former La Salle teammate and senior playmaker Mars Alba.
With her PVL career now in full swing, Coronel is just as determined to leave her legacy as one of the country’s best playmakers.
“I’m very hopeful naman na I would also get to make my own legacy. Pero ‘yun, I’m patiently waiting and I’m also, of course, working really hard to make that happen. And, it’s not gonna be all of my own doing lang talaga, it’s also with my team. My team would also help me and syempre, tutulungan ko rin talaga sila na makamit namin ‘yung mga goals namin for this conference,” she said.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.