Alyssa Eroa vowed to make the most of her second opportunity with Galeries Tower after nearly two years without a team in the Premier Volleyball League.
Eroa’s last appearance in the PVL was during the 2022 Open Conference with BaliPure, but the team disbanded shortly after.
Despite the lack of opportunities, she kept herself in shape, trying out for various teams until finally securing a spot in a new league.
“Parang ‘yung last po kasi ‘yung pandemic pa po na liga ‘yung last, ‘yung sa BaliPure pa po ‘yung last e. So parang ‘yung last na pagpasok po dun sa BaliPure,” shared Eroa.
“Parang after nung liga, parang wala na po talagang pag-asa kasi wala rin po talagang kumo-contact. Wala po talaga.”
The 27-year-old libero eventually joined Marikina in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association. Eroa helped the Lady Shoemasters secure a bronze finish in the inaugural season of the MPVA, also winning the Best Libero award.
“So parang ang nangyari na po nun, pinakondisyon ko po ‘yung sarili ko sa buong dalawang, two to three years para makabalik. Ta’s triny ko lang pong mag-try out sa ibang liga ta’s parang pwede pa po pala,” she said.
After an impressive stint with Marikina, Eroa finally received the call she had been waiting for.
“Nagulat na lang din po ako, sa awa ng Diyos, may kumontact din po na PVL team. So ‘di ko na sasayangin ‘tong second chance na ‘to. Sobrang thank you po sa management ng Galeries kasi pinagkatiwalaan nila ako na makalaro sa team nila,” said Eroa.
The former San Sebastian specialist was recruited by the Highrisers for their second conference in the PVL.
They enlisted Eroa as part of their All-Filipino Conference roster in a bid to improve on their maiden campaign, where they only secured one win out of 11 games.
Eroa’s presence undoubtedly bolstered Galeries. She provided consistent floor defense that played a pivotal role in the Highrisers securing three wins in their second conference.
While the team failed to make it to the playoffs, Galeries managed to put on a gallant showing in the elimination round. They even pushed semis-bound Chery Tiggo to a five-setter, which the Highrisers eventually lost.
“Sobrang saya po kasi na-reach ‘yung goal namin na mas maganda ‘yung maipakita namin, lalo ngayong last game namin this conference. At nakakadagdag din po ng kumpiyansa sa bawat isa para sa next conference,” said Eroa.
“Siguro po ‘yung nilaban namin hanggang huli. Na hindi po namin pinabayaan na maging ganun po ‘yung laro namin ngayong last game.”
