Despite ending the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference without a single win, Galeries Tower head coach Lerma Giron found plenty of reasons to celebrate her team's efforts. The Highrisers, though winless at 0-8, showed resilience and promise against some of the league's top contenders.
In their inaugural Reinforced Conference campaign, Galeries may have finished with their worst record since joining the league last year, but their performances painted a different picture—one of a team that's more than just its record.
"Of course, kumbaga, unlike before, nananalo kami paisa-isang set, ngayon nadagdagan naman dalawang set, nakaka-fifth set," Giron said after their hard-fought four-set loss to Capital1 in their final match of the season.
Throughout the tournament, Galeries pushed its opponents to the brink. They went the distance in five-set thrillers against Nxled and Farm Fresh, and nearly toppled top-ranked Akari and second-seeded Cignal in games that could have swung their way. Winning just two of these close encounters might have changed their fortunes entirely, potentially setting them up for a playoff berth.
However, Giron could only reflect on the opportunities that slipped through their fingers. "Pero then again nga, kulang pa rin talaga ng pukpok dun sa dulo, tulad din ng last game namin kanina," she explained.
"Hindi pa ganun nade-develop talaga 'yung maturity, sabay-sabay sa team, na bumibigay pa rin sa dulo. Na sa halip na 'pag binigay sa’yo 'yung bola, nasa isip mo, patayin [at] pumuntos. Patay naman, kaso score ng kalaban."
The Highrisers’ campaign was not without its standout moments. Their tenacious defense, anchored by libero Alyssa Eroa and Thai reinforcement Sutadta Chuewulim, drew praise from opposing teams. However, the absence of a reliable go-to scorer proved to be a critical shortfall, particularly in matches that went down to the wire.
Giron acknowledged this gap and emphasized the team's need to find a player who could take on that role.
"One of the highlights of Galeries’ campaign, as often pointed out by opposing teams, was the team’s impenetrable defense," she said. "Pero again, good run pa rin 'to para sa amin kasi nakita natin, dati 'yung nakalaban namin 'yung Akari...nag-five sets kami. So it should be an accomplishment na rin sa 'min 'yon na 'yung top team ng kabila, eh talagang nilabanan namin nang todo. 'Yun nga lang, wala kaming panapos."
Reflecting on their four close losses, Giron expressed a mix of frustration and hope.
"[Apat] na games 'yung lagi kaming nafu-frustrate at nadi-disappoint. May time pa nga na lamang kami, biglang nahabol pa, talo pa," she noted. "Talagang samu't sari 'yung emotions, disappointment, frustrations, at the same time din, looking [at] the brighter side, hindi naman tayo pwedeng mag-dwell lang doon sa negative na aspeto eh, na uy, kaya pala namin."
The path forward for Galeries Tower is clear: they need a star player, a dominant force who can consistently deliver points and bring a winning mindset to the team.
"Wala pa kaming star player diyan. Wala pa kaming gano'n ka-dominant na player, na sabihin na natin na may pangalan talaga. Meron kami star player kaso non-scoring. 'Yun talaga 'yung lamang namin," Giron said. "Magkaroon siguro, mas maging consistent lang at ready mag-accept 'yung mga players, i-welcome nila, i-embrace nila 'yung pressure."
As the team looks ahead, the focus is on growth and learning.
"Pag natutunan na 'yun, talagang 'di lang sabay. Talagang sasalpukin nila 'yung kalaban," Giron concluded. "Pero at the moment, under construction pa."
