Incoming Galeries Tower rookie Julia Coronel couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the Premier Volleyball League.
The third overall pick in the 2024 PVL Draft, Coronel missed the 2024 Reinforced Conference due to her commitment with Alas Pilipinas. However, that stint gave her the invaluable opportunity to play alongside some of the league’s top athletes—an experience that will undoubtedly ease her transition to the pros.
“Naging experience and tactics siguro na natutunan ko from Alas especially ‘yun talaga rin nadadala ko sa team ko ngayon. Parang marami akong nakikitang ibang diskarte na nagagamit ko rin sa current team ko and hopeful ma-apply ko throughout the season,” shared the La Salle product.
Coronel was part of the historic Alas Pilipinas squad that clinched a bronze medal in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women, marking the country’s first podium finish in a continental competition. She also competed in the FIVB Challenger Cup and the Southeast Asian V.League, where the national team claimed back-to-back bronze medals.
During her three-month stint with the Nationals, the 5-foot-9 playmaker had the chance to team up with PVL stars like Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Jema Galanza, and Dawn Catindig. Most importantly, she learned from eight-time PVL Best Setter Jia De Guzman, another Colegio San Agustin alumna.
(C) PVL Images
Now, Coronel is determined to help the Highrisers rebound from a disappointing 0-8 campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The former Lady Spikers captain admitted she initially struggled to adapt to head coach Lerma Giron’s system. However, with the support of Galeries’ patient coaching staff, she has adjusted and embraced the new approach.
“So far, mas nakaka-connect na rin talaga ‘ko with the team and sobrang happy rin ako sa nakikita kong progress naming. Nakikita ko rin ‘yung bunga ng nagiging training namin,” said Coronel.
“Hopefully mag-translate talaga this upcoming conference and succeeding games.”
Despite their struggles in the previous season, the Highrisers showed promise, particularly on defense, during the import-laden tournament. They challenged top teams, including eventual finalists Akari, second-seeded Cignal, Farm Fresh, and Nxled.
With Coronel now orchestrating the offense for the upcoming 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, Coach Giron is optimistic about an improved offensive output from Galeries Tower. They aim to build on the flashes of momentum from last season and finally close out games.
“Yes, of course. ‘Yun nga, tulad ng sinabi ko, ‘yung presence niya sa team, talagang na-boost ‘yung offense system namin sa pagdating niya,” said Giron.
