Erika Deloria understands that becoming a championship-caliber team takes more than talent and victories. It also requires the ability to endure adversity, learn from setbacks, and emerge stronger.
For the Galeries Tower outside hitter, the Highrisers’ difficult start to the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab series could be an important part of that journey, helping build the mental toughness and resilience needed to eventually fulfill their championship aspirations.
Galeries Tower endured four consecutive defeats to open the first leg of the three-part All-Filipino Conference, falling to Farm Fresh, Creamline, Nxled, and Choco Mucho before finally breaking through against Akari with a 25-22, 26-24, 23-25, 15-25, 15-10 victory on Tuesday.
The breakthrough win provided a much-needed boost to a team that had spent the early stretch of the conference searching for answers. However, Deloria believes that the lessons they picked up during their losing streak could prove just as valuable as the victories they hope to string together moving forward.
(C) PVL Images
“I think if you want to be a champion, you have to go through tough times din. If malagpasan ‘yung mga ‘yun, ako, naniniwala ako na kaya mong manalo, kaya mong lagpasan lahat ng hirap na ‘yan kasi you have to be mentally tough,” said Deloria.
“Kahit ayaw mo na mag-training kasi talo ka, kailangan mo pa rin mag-show up. Ganoon eh, kailangan mo talagang maging strong,” she added.
The Enderun Colleges product admitted that the four-game skid had taken a toll on the Highrisers’ morale. Still, the team made a conscious effort to turn the difficult stretch into a learning experience, with the adjustments and improved communication finally translating into a breakthrough against the Chargers.
“For me, maganda siyang start for us kasi siyempre 0-4 po kami, so medyo nakakababa po ng morale. Pero at the same time, doon din kami nagli-learn na marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin and also communicate,” she said.
“And then I think lumabas siya this game, and very thankful ako for the coaches and for my teammates na araw-araw nagsho-show up pa rin kahit ganoon,” Deloria added.
Deloria, one of Galeries Tower’s few bright spots during its difficult opening stretch, finished with a team-high 20 points on 18 attacks and two blocks while anchoring the Highrisers’ floor defense with 28 excellent receptions.
The 20th overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft knows that turning Galeries Tower into a legitimate championship contender will not happen overnight.
But with the Highrisers finally getting their first taste of victory, Deloria hopes the struggles they endured early in the conference will serve as a foundation for their continued growth, bringing them closer to becoming the championship-caliber team they aspire to be.
