Galeries Tower capped off its recruitment drive on Tuesday by announcing four new players, headlined by winger Jules Samonte.
Samonte is joined by setters Maji Mangulabnan and Venice Puzon, along with opposite hitter Gayle Pascual, as the Highrisers put the finishing touches on a sweeping offseason overhaul.
The revamp saw Galeries Tower bring in 14 new players and install an entirely new coaching staff ahead of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, signaling a clear intent to turn the page after a string of frustrating campaigns.
Once a key contributor for PLDT under then-head coach George Pascua, Samonte eventually found herself buried in the rotation during the latter part of her stint with the High Speed Hitters.
In search of a fresh start, she moved to Chery Tiggo, but again struggled for consistent playing time in a wing-heavy lineup led by Cess Robles, Ara Galang, Mylene Paat, and Renee Peñafiel.
(C) PVL Images
Now with the Highrisers, Samonte is looking to revive her once-promising career, with expectations that she will take on a more prominent role alongside fellow newcomer Erika Raagas and veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.
Galeries Tower, meanwhile, is aiming to bounce back after a series of close calls and heartbreaks in recent conferences.
Encouraging signs have already emerged following a productive offseason haul that allowed the team to surround young standouts Julia Coronel and Jean Asis with battle-tested veterans and capable contributors, giving the Highrisers renewed optimism heading into the new season.
Leading Galeries Tower’s new era is newly installed head coach Clarence Esteban.
