Galeries Towers isn’t content with merely participating in their inaugural appearance in the upcoming Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
The Highrisers are on a mission, and their coaches and players are leaving no stone unturned as they embark on this exhilarating journey.
Galeries head coach Lerma Giron and assistant coach Godfrey Okumu conveyed their unwavering determination during a riveting team press conference held at the prestigious Chairman’s Lounge in Okada Manila.
Despite being formed just a month before the conference, Giron exudes confidence in her team’s ability to compete with the league’s best. She understands the importance of taking one step at a time and nurturing their potential.
“This is just a baby team. Yung baby na ‘to, lumalaban ‘to,” emphasized Giron, who previously coached at Adamson University. “Yun yung lagi naming sinasabi sa training na we’re not there just to participate, we’re there to win, we’re there to fight, and bigyan sila ng magandang laban kahit sabihin nating years na yung binibilang nung ibang teams, yung iba nasa top pa.
“Pero yun nga, lalaban at lalaban ‘to.”
Okumu, returning to the PVL after last coaching Motolite in 2019, echoed Giron’s sentiments and couldn’t help but praise the heart and passion displayed by the team during their preparations for the season-ending conference.
“What we expect as a team or as coaches, we believe in progress and then as we continue working on progress, that’s (what) I’m looking at the team looking forward,” he said.
“So yes, we will have wins. Yes, we might have losses but it’s part of the game. So it’s not about (just) participating, it’s really going out there and giving their all.
“We’re a young team but we’re strong and (we have) heart and we’re ready to go. Even though in the PVL we expect challenges, nothing comes to easy so we just have to go and fight,” he added.
Leading the charge for Galeries Towers are team captain Fhen Emnas, alongside the returning Graze Bombita and Dimdim Pacres. Bombita’s comeback from an ACL tear that sidelined her for the entire 2022 season adds a layer of inspirational resilience to the team.
Carly Hernandez, Ysa Jimenez, Norielle Ipac, Rap Aguilar, Kia Melgar, Acy Masangkay, Roma Doromal, Julia Angeles, Juliet Catindig, Anne Esguerra, and Andrea Marzan complete the squad, forming a promising ensemble of veterans.
The journey begins as Galeries Towers opens its PVL campaign against the formidable Petro Gazz on Tuesday.
