Ysa Jimenez stepped up when it mattered the most and took the spotlight in Galeries Tower's breakthrough quarterfinals entry in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Determined to rise from all their heartbreaks from 10 losses in their 11 preliminary round games, Jimenez turned their self-doubts into motivation to defy the odds, leading the No.10 Highrisers' biggest franchise win with a 25-17. 25-22, 19-25, 25-19 stunner over third-seeded Cignal last Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Although averaging just 10.0 points in 11 games in the preliminary round, Jimenez left everything on the floor to unleash a game-high 23 points on a 22-of-55 attacking clip to help Galeries Tower book a first-ever playoffs appearance.
“Worth it lahat ng pagod. Sabi nga ni coach, sobrang dami naming pinagdaanan to the point na kinekwestyon na rin namin na ‘Ano na bang nangyayari sa pinagpapaguran natin na ‘to?’” said Jimenez.
“Sabi lang po sa amin ni coach na no pressure yung game na ‘to kasi wala namang mawawala eh. Confident kami kasi hindi kami nagkulang sa preparations,” she added.
For playing her heart out, which led to one of the biggest upsets in the league history, Jimenez earned the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of February 27 to March 1.
The University of Santo Tomas product bested teammate and top libero Alyssa Eroa for the weekly nod of the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.
Jimenez also outshone Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle, Creamline’s Bea De Leon, and Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina for the weekly plum deliberated by reporters from print and online publications covering the pioneering volleyball league.
Jimenez and the Highrisers took advantage of the break to prepare for the all-important showdown with the No. 3 seed in the quarterfinals at stake.
Galeries Tower's hard work was rewarded with a first-ever victory over the HD Spikers since joining the league in 2023.
“Talagang may pinanghahawakan kami, sinasabi namin na everything happens for a reason and ito na ‘yun. Sabi nga nila, kapag para sa inyo, ibibigay talaga sa inyo,” Jimenez said.
Now that the Highrisers made it to the playoffs, coach Lerma Giron urged Jimenez and Co. not to waste the golden opportunity they earned as they battle the winner of Farm Fresh-Akari qualifying game in a best-of-three quarterfinals series.
“Kailangan namin panindigan 'to. Inilaban namin sa stage na 'to, alam namin 'yung pupuntahan namin sa next level, talagang very challenging. Hindi na pwede dito 'yung on-and-off,” Giron said. “Tiwala ako sa mga players na 'to and even sa coaches. Kahit lumuha ulit kami ng dugo, ng bato, kasi nandito na kami. At ito naman din 'yung gusto namin. Kaya by God's grace, paninindigan namin 'to.”
