Facing formidable odds, Galeries Tower and Nxled brace for a monumental challenge as they battle heavily favored opponents in their quest for quarterfinal spots in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference qualifying round on Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Despite the overwhelming firepower of their rivals, the Highrisers and the Chameleons remain undaunted, hoping to deliver performances that defy expectations. Both teams acknowledge the gulf in experience, depth and consistency compared to their powerhouse counterparts, yet they refuse to back down, determined to capitalize on any potential opening to turn the tide in their favor.
Galeries Tower faces a daunting challenge against the Cignal in the 4 p.m. clash, but head coach Lerma Giron remains steadfast in her belief that her team can rise to the occasion. The Highrisers, who struggled in the preliminary round and finished at No. 10, have used their recent break to regroup, sharpen their skills and refine their approach.
For the Highrisers, the key to an upset lies in maximizing individual performances while executing a well-structured defensive strategy. The trio of Ysa Jimenez, Jewel Encarnacion and France Ronquillo will need to step up and showcase their offensive potential, while middle blockers Roselle Baliton and Andrea Marzan must hold firm at the net to disrupt Cignal’s attacking rhythm.
Additionally, the contributions of Grazie Bombita, RJ Doromal, Jho Maraguinot and rookie setter/spiker Julia Coronel will be critical in maintaining consistency.
Cignal, on the other hand, has rediscovered its rhythm after an early-season slump, emerging as the third seed despite roster setbacks. Spearheaded by Vanie Gandler, with key support from Jacqueline Acuña, Judith Abil, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Jovelyn Fernandez and promising rookie Ishie Lalongisip, the HD Spikers are expected to bring relentless intensity.
Coach Shaq delos Santos is focused on maintaining their high level of play while ensuring that his team stays fresh for the grueling battles ahead.
If Giron can draw out peak performances from her players, particularly in blocking and counterattacking, the Highrisers may have a fighting chance at pushing Cignal to the limit and possibly pulling off a stunner.
"Same mindset – the intensity of our game, how we move, how we handle the situation now that we're in the second round, this is how the competition will be, so it will remain the same. And then, proper recovery and rest as well. That's all," said Cignal head coach Shaq delos Santos.
In the 6:30 p.m. duel, Nxled faces an even taller order as it goes up against the top-seeded and star-laden Creamline side. Despite finishing last in the preliminary round, the Chameleons remain undeterred, knowing that in sports, determination and discipline can sometimes bridge the gap between underdog and elite teams.
Coach Guidetti Ettore’s squad features a mix of promising talents, including Lycha Ebon, EJ Laure, Krich Macaslang, May Luna, Chiara Permentilla, Jaycel delos Reyes, Jaila Atienza and Lucille Almonte.
While Creamline boasts a deep and cohesive lineup that has been dominant throughout the tournament, the Chameleons believe they can capitalize on tactical adjustments, improved blocking, and defensive solidity to challenge the reigning favorites.
Nxled will need to exploit any vulnerabilities in Creamline’s game, particularly in transition plays and extended rallies. The Cool Smashers, led by coach Sherwin Meneses, will rely on their experience and depth, with stars such as Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza, and Kyle Negrito expected to dictate the tempo.
Valdez emphasized the importance of refining their system, particularly in counterattacks and handling free balls, noting that even the smallest details can determine the outcome in tight situations.
"We’ll take it one game at a time. Definitely, I think one of the skills that almost everyone has improved on would be the system and the blocking," said Valdez.
"I guess we’re still going to work on our counterattacks and basics, discipline most definitely in our system. So there are still systems that we need to perfect. Basics, when it comes to free balls, weak balls – at the end of the day, we need to perfect them as much as possible. Those minor details will help us in the end of the game, and those are what will matter, especially in tight matches. So we’ll work on counterattacks and basic balls," she added.
While Creamline is the overwhelming favorite, Nxled can draw confidence from the fact that the Cool Smashers’ winning streak was recently snapped by PLDT, proving that even the best teams are not invincible.
With their backs against the wall, both Galeries Tower and Nxled embrace the underdog role, knowing that while talent and experience may favor their opponents, resilience, strategy, and heart could pave the way for unexpected breakthroughs. In volleyball, momentum shifts, mental toughness, and key plays in crucial moments can turn the tide, and the Highrisers and Chameleons are determined to seize any opportunity to shake up the PVL landscape.
Games are aired live on Pilipinas Live, RPTV, One Sports, One Sports+, and pvl.ph.
