BATANGAS CITY — Galeries Tower stunned Farm Fresh in four sets, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, to open its 2026 Premier Volleyball League On Tour Showdown campaign with a victory on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center here.
The Highrisers came out firing, dominating the opening set before the Foxies responded by snatching the second frame to level the match and set the stage for what looked to be a marathon encounter.
Galeries Tower, however, quickly regained control, dictating the pace in the third set before surviving a tense fourth frame to close out the match and claim the ₱100,000 incentive awarded to the winner.
“Sinabi ko nga sa players ko na dito namin masusubukan ngayon ‘yung mga skills na pinaghirapan namin bago mag-start ‘yung season,” said head coach Clarence Esteban after the victory.
(C) PVL Images
Farm Fresh refused to go down without a fight, leaning on veterans Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, and Riri Meneses to spark a 3-1 run that erased a 22-24 deficit and tied the fourth set at 24-all, threatening to force a deciding fifth set.
But just as the Foxies appeared ready to extend the match, Lycha Ebon delivered a clutch kill to restore match point for the Highrisers.
Moments later, Roselle Baliton sealed the victory with a quick attack, ending the nearly two-hour contest and sending Galeries Tower to a hard-earned opening-day win.
“Maganda ‘yung nilabas nila nung game, dahil na rin sa kagustuhan nilang manalo nitong araw na ‘to. Pero siyempre hindi basta-basta rin si Farm Fresh, so grateful ako sa mga players namin na nagpursigi para makuha namin ‘yung panalo,” Esteban added.
Erika Deloria continued to settle into her role as one of the team’s primary offensive weapons, finishing with a game-high 24 points built on 22 attacks and two aces. She also showcased her all-around game with 13 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs.
Aiza Pontillas chipped in 13 points, while middle blockers Jean Asis and Baliton contributed nine markers apiece.
Top overall 2026 PVL Draft pick Lams Lamina made her much-anticipated league debut, tallying seven excellent sets off the bench. Ebon and Jade Gentapa also provided timely contributions with seven points each.
Team captain Julia Coronel orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets while adding four points, while Baby Love Barbon anchored the defense with 17 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.
Riding the momentum of its opening-day triumph, Galeries Tower now shifts its focus to a showdown against Nxled on August 1 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.
(C) PVL Images
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, struggled to find its offensive rhythm. Royse Tubino led the Foxies with 12 points, while Ara Galang added 11.
The Highrisers also neutralized two of Farm Fresh’s top scorers, holding Trisha Tubu to just six points and Ces Molina to only five while disrupting the Foxies’ attack throughout the match.
Farm Fresh will look to bounce back when it takes on Nxled on August 15 in Lanao del Norte.
