At the start of the season, few had Galeries penciled in as a playoff contender. A first-year team still finding its identity, they were expected to struggle against the league’s established squads. But the Highrisers had other plans.
With grit and resilience, they crashed the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals, proving that heart and determination could take a team farther than anyone imagined.
“Before mag-start ‘yung game kanina, ‘yun ‘yung sinabi ko sa mga players. Sabi ko na kahit anuman maging resulta nung game, proud na proud ako sa kanila at sa team. Kasi walang nag-expect na makakarating kami sa ganito,” said head coach Lerma Giron.
"Para sa amin, it’s a milestone talaga."
Their journey wasn’t easy. Galeries entered the qualifying round as the tenth seed, a long shot for the playoffs. But in a shocking turn of events, they pulled off a five-set stunner against third-seeded Cignal, booking a historic first-ever trip to the quarterfinals.
Even then, many believed their run would end quickly. But the Highrisers had more fight left in them.
Facing seventh-seeded Akari, Galeries proved they weren’t just happy to be there. In Game 1, they took a 2-1 set lead, forcing the Chargers into survival mode. But when it mattered most, Akari’s experience shone through, rallying for a 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 16-25, 11-15 escape.
Game 2 was a mirror image of the first. Galeries jumped ahead with a two-set lead, only to see Akari claw back and snatch the victory, bringing the Highrisers’ campaign to a heartbreaking close.
Still, Giron knew this was just the beginning.
“Oo, sabi ko nga sa kanila kanina sa post-huddle namin, kailangan naming pagdaanan ‘to. Kailangan nilang pagdaanan ‘to. ‘Yung heartbreaks, ‘yung sayang, ‘yung sakit, kailangan naming pagdaanan ‘to kasi hindi pa handa ‘yung team, one year pa lang eh, para lumaban sa ganito,” she said.
“So marami pa, sabi ko nakita niyo kung ano pa ‘yung mga dapat trabahuhin. Especially ‘yung mental and emotional aspects. So ano pa, malaki pa ‘yung dapat i-improve ng team."
Painful as it was, this experience will serve as fuel. Galeries has proven they can compete; now, they must build on this foundation.
