The new format of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, which ensures no team is eliminated at the end of the preliminaries, was expected to shake up the tournament.
Galeries Tower proved that theory right in the very first game of the play-in stage, as they upset higher-ranked Capital1, 25-16, 25-20, 30-28, taking a crucial step closer to the semifinals on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre.
The ninth-ranked Highrisers, struggling with low morale and a five-game losing streak, turned pain into power, toppling the eighth-seeded Solar Spikers to advance to the next stage, where they will face the No. 5 Nxled Chameleons.
It was a balanced effort for Galeries, with four players scoring in double digits, led by middle blocker Jean Asis.
“Sobrang important talaga nitong game na ‘to for us kahit natalo kami last game pero sabi namin talaga babawi kami nitong game na ito kasi ito yung mas importante talaga,” said Asis, who finished with 17 points on 12 attacks, three blocks, and two aces.
“Sobrang happy naman ako na nag-perform lahat talaga, like nag-ambag talaga, kahit yung mga nasa bench, tumulong din talaga para i-boost yung confidence namin.”
(C) PVL Images
Momentum and a mental edge were on Capital1’s side, having defeated Galeries just last Saturday to close the preliminaries on a high note, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 26-24.
But Asis was more than ready to turn the tables and prove that a lower-ranked team can take down a higher-ranked opponent.
A personal motivation for Asis was her status as the 2025 PVL Draft second overall pick, eager to prove that the Highrisers made the right choice.
Coincidentally, in this game, the second pick outshone the top pick, Capital1’s ace Bella Belen.
“Siguro kasi parang pinangatawanan ko rin na second pick ako, siyempre may expectation din ako sa sarili ko na kailangan kong mag-perform talaga nang maayos bilang balik na rin sa Galeries. Siguro yun din yung pinanghawakan ko po kaya gusto kong ilabas yung laro ko talaga na meron din ako,” said Asis.
Galeries’ offense did not rely solely on Asis. Gayle Pascual contributed 14 points, while Aiza Pontillas and Roselle Baliton added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
With this victory, Asis and the Highrisers hope to take down even bigger teams as they push toward the semifinals.
“Inisip namin na ayaw naming magbakasyon agad. Gusto namin April o ano ba kailan ba matatapos yung conference na ‘to. Basta yun ayaw namin magbakasyon agad. Gusto naming ma-prove sa team namin na kaya talaga naming tumaas pa,” shared Asis.
#WATCH: PINANGATAWANAN KO NA SECOND PICK AKO 🏐
Jean Asis is motivated to prove why she was the second overall pick in the #PVL2025 Draft#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/Jbo6BqWHyb
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2026 pic.twitter.com/Ql6xRXj2um
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 24, 2026
