The Galeries Tower Highrisers can only get better after mounting a surprise run into the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
The Galeries Tower Highrisers may have bowed out from the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, but their journey was nothing short of impressive.
After finishing with just two wins throughout the preliminary round, the Highrisers stunned the third-seeded Cignal HD Spikers during the conference qualifiers, securing a direct ticket to the quarterfinals despite coming in as heavy underdogs.
In their best-of-three series against the Akari Chargers, the Highrisers further proved that they were no fluke, pushing their more experienced foes to the limit in a pair of thrilling five-setters.
So while the Chargers completed a two-game sweep, it was by no means a cakewalk to dispatch the up-and-coming Highrisers en route to the All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
“Before mag-start ‘yung game, sabi ko na anuman maging resulta ng game, proud na proud ako sa kanila. Kasi walang nag-expect na makakarating kami sa ganito, so para samin, it’s a milestone talaga,” head coach Lerma Giron said after the Highrisers’ narrow 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 20-25, 12-15 Game 2 loss against Akari on Thursday.
Both Games 1 and 2 saw the Highrisers take a 2-1 set advantage over the Chargers, before struggling to close things out due to a lack of experience playing in higher-stakes matches.
It’s a pair of tough losses, yes, but Giron knows that these are necessary pains that will help the team reach their fullest potential.
“Kailangan namin paghandaan ito, kailangan namin paghandaan ‘yung heartbreaks, ‘yung sayang and sakit, kailangan namin paghandaan ito,” the third-year head coach said. “Kasi hindi pa handa ‘yung team — sabi nga batang team kami, one year pa lang eh — para lumaban sa ganito”.
“So nakita namin kung ano pa ‘yung dapat trabahuhin, especially in mental and emotional aspect, malaki pa ‘yung dapat i-improve ng team.”
‘Hirap nila lusutan ng bola!’
Led by captain-libero Alyssa Eroa, floor defense has been one of the Highrisers’ biggest assets, which powered their upset against the HD Spikers, and allowed them to hold up well against the veteran-laden Akari in the quarterfinals.
Take it from Chargers star Grethcel Soltones, who shared how fulfilling it is to penetrate the Highrisers’ side of the Taraflex.
“Sobrang saya [to win against Galeries], kasi ang hirap nila lusutan ng bola, especially Eroa! Kasi siya talaga ‘yung naga-guide sa likod, so kanina habang naglalaro kami, pag napupuntusan ko siya, tinitignan na lang namin ‘yung isa’t isa tas nagsa-smile lang kami,” said Soltones, Eroa’s former running mate in both the collegiate and professional ranks.
Along with the Eroa-led floor defense is a much-improved offense led by Ysa Jimenez, France Ronquillo, Jewel Encarnacion, and setter-spiker Julia Coronel. Encarnacion was especially brilliant against Akari, averaging 19.5 points and 17.5 receptions as the Highrisers’ top scorer across two games played.
Like Soltones, Akari head coach Taka Minowa also tipped his hat off to the Highrisers, having put up a valiant stand as a young team.
“We already have good players, but even if we don’t walk together, we cannot make it to the top four teams [semifinals]. Kasi Galeries Tower, like what Greta [Soltones] mentioned, they’re a really good team, and we did not have any expectations to win this game because we knew it was going to be a tough game,” he said.
After putting up a brave stand against the Chargers, the Highrisers will now shift their focus to the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, where they hope to bolster their wing spikers’ depth with some fresh legs.
“May mga pagkakataon kasi na ‘yung first six natin, especially the wing spikers, may mga pagkakataon na kailangan i-compose muna nila ‘yung sarili nila and palitan muna sila doon sa loob. So ‘yun ‘yung bagay na tinitignan natin sa drafting,” Giron explained.
“Especially ngayon magaganda ‘yung papasok na mga players, sana umabot sila sa amin if ever! Dahil kailangan talaga namin ng mga wing spikers and ng MBs.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.