Julia Coronel’s versatility was on full display in her Galeries Tower debut.
Coronel began the game setting up the Highrisers’ offense but later shifted to a spiker role in their 30-28, 15-25, 16-25, 23-25 loss to Akari in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday.
“Well, ‘yung mga adjustments naman na ‘yun kasi pina-practice din naman talaga namin,” said the third overall pick of the 2024 PVL Draft.
It was a welcome development for Coronel, who listed both the setter and opposite spiker positions in her draft application last July.
The playmaker out of La Salle shared that she spoke with Galeries head coach Lerma Giron and expressed her willingness to play both positions for the Highrisers, who are aiming for a comeback campaign following a winless 2024 Reinforced Conference.
“Sinabi ko rin talaga kila coach na kung kailangan nila akong spiker, willing naman din ako,” stated Coronel.
“Kasi I know that I’m also able to deliver in that department. Syempre, ayoko naman maging selfish, parang nire-ready ko lang din sarili ko na anytime na hugutin ako ni coach, gawin niya akong attacker also.”
(C) PVL Images
Coronel finished her much-anticipated debut with nine excellent sets and eight points, though Galeries struggled to maintain its strong start, which saw them take down the Chargers in an extended opening set affair.
The Colegio San Agustin product shared her excitement about finally playing for the Highrisers after missing the entire Reinforced Conference due to her commitments with the Alas Pilipinas national team that competed in the Southeast Asian V.League.
“Well, very happy ako na nakapag-debut na ako. First game ko in the PVL. Mindset ko lang din talaga coming into this game is I’m just going to play. Lalabas ko lang lahat ng inensayo namin,” said Coronel.
After her first game in the country’s only professional volleyball league, the 23-year-old playmaker admitted she has much to improve, expressing a strong desire to become a solid contributor in the highly competitive PVL environment.
“Alam ko sa sarili ko na marami pa talaga akong kailangan i-work on. I would say this was a good debut for me. Parang, ganyan. Happy lang ako na, finally, nakapaglaro na ako in the pros,” said Coronel.
“Happy lang din ako talaga to be here and to play. Pero, yun nga, gusto ko rin na mas maging competitive din ako as a player. And mas maging competitive din talaga yung team namin. And so, yun ang goal ko for myself and for my team. That’s why I’m also working to get to that level.”
