The Galeries Tower Highrisers made history on Thursday night, delivering a stunning upset against the third-seeded Cignal HD Spikers to kick off the qualifying round of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena.
Despite entering as the tenth seed with just one preliminary-round win, the Highrisers displayed resilience and teamwork to claim a four-set victory, 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, securing their first-ever playoff appearance in franchise history.
“Even though we don't have those big names, stars sa volleyball, then again dito, isa sa mga goal is magtrabaho kami as a team,” said head coach Lerma Giron, whose belief in her players paid off in their breakthrough performance.
Leading the charge was Ysa Jimenez, who delivered a career-high 23 points—22 of which came from attacks—proving to be a crucial offensive weapon for Galeries. France Ronquillo, who found a home with the Highrisers after previous stints with Chery Tiggo and Foton, contributed an all-around performance with 20 points on 18 attacks, an ace, and a block, along with 13 excellent receptions.
“Kahit sabihin natin 'yung pinaka-ace player namin ay non-scoring,” Giron noted, referring to libero Alyssa Eroa—the first-ever Highriser to win an individual award—who provided stability on defense with 28 excellent digs. “Pero 'pag team effort talaga, 'yun 'yung pinaka-goal talaga namin—maglaro as a team.”
Giron, who has been with the team since its PVL debut in 2023, remained steadfast in her belief that trust and teamwork would be the keys to success.
“Ever since na nag-start ang Galeries, naniniwala ako do'n sa mga players, sa sistema at sa mga coaches, na nandun sa Galeries,” she said. “It's a milestone for us—for the team, for the players, for the coaches. Sobrang grateful lang ako. Since Day 1 na nag-start, nandun 'yung tiwala ko sa mga players na kinuha ko, sa mga players kung anong meron kami.”
