A new challenge, a fresh start, and a squad hungry to climb the ranks—Aiza Maizo-Pontillas is stepping into it all with Galeries Tower, ready to lead the Highrisers with the poise and experience that have defined her career.
The 37-year-old opposite hitter made the move this offseason after Petro Gazz decided to take a leave of absence from the league, leaving Pontillas eager to carve out her next chapter.
“Nung una, kinabahan kasi siyempre mga bagets yung magiging teammate ko and bago din yung coaches na magiging coach ko ulit,” Pontillas admitted. “Di ko pa sila nakatrabaho. Excited and dahil mga bagets ‘yung kasama ko, malaking adjustment din sa program ni coach [Aying] pero naging flexible naman ang bawat isa sa amin.”
Galeries Tower is embracing a youth movement, with Pontillas now playing alongside rising stars such as Alas Pilipinas standout Julia Coronel and second overall pick Jean Asis, all under the guidance of new head coach Clarence Esteban.
The Highrisers showed promise last season, achieving a franchise-best eighth-place finish in the 2025 All-Filipino Conference, but the departure of key players saw the team slide to 12th place in both the PVL On Tour and Reinforced Conference. Pontillas said her mission goes beyond personal performance—she wants to lift the entire team.
“Siguro dahil yung nasa bottom yung Galeries season, ang ini-aim ko, not ako lang, pati lahat ng teammates ko na yan, may angat paunti-unti yung team namin,” she said.
