RODRIGUEZ, Rizal – For setter and team captain Julia Coronel, ending Galeries Tower’s 17-game losing streak meant more than a long-overdue breakthrough.
It was a turning point, one she hopes finally signals the start of the winning culture the Highrisers have been striving to build for nearly a year.
The five-set escape against ZUS Coffee at the Ynares Center Montalban here didn’t just erase months of frustration. It also reignited belief in a team that had endured loss after loss since its last victory on February 27, 2025 — a stunning upset of Cignal that once promised brighter days ahead.
That promise, however, quickly faded. Galeries Tower stumbled out of the quarterfinals of last year’s all-Filipino tilt, then spiraled through a brutal stretch that saw them go winless in the PVL On Tour and the Reinforced Conference.
Amid an ever-changing lineup, the third overall pick of the 2024 PVL Rookie Draft remained one of the few constants for Galeries Tower.
Through it all, Coronel stayed at the heart of the team, orchestrating the offense while searching for consistency and confidence amid constant adversity.
“I’m hoping na patuloy pa rin yung ganung culture na ma-build namin,” Coronel said after their five-set win over ZUS Coffee that ended the drought.
“Kasi I would say, for the longest time, that’s the kind of culture we’ve been wanting to build — that winning culture — and slowly, we’re getting there,” she added.
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Saturday’s breakthrough also reflected a shift within a revamped Highrisers squad under new head coach Clarence Esteban.
After repeatedly coming up short in previous conferences, Galeries Tower finally showed composure under pressure, weathering a Thunderbelles comeback before asserting control in the deciding set.
Coronel said it also helped that the Highrisers could lean on a proven group of veterans, led by Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, whose experience and calming presence anchored the team in crucial moments.
“Nakikita ko rin talaga na lahat gutom manalo. Parang lahat gustong-gusto mag-contribute in any way possible. Nakita naman natin today na kahit may hinatak si coach from the bench, everyone was able to contribute. I would say the beauty of our team right now is that everyone is eager to contribute to the success of the team,” said the former La Salle standout.
“Big help talaga na nandiyan si Nang, parang siya yung nagiging anchor namin as a veteran. And lahat ng ates namin — sina Ate Shola, Ate Roselle — sobrang laki ng tulong na dinadala nila sa team namin,” she added.
Coronel also admitted that doubts inevitably crept in, especially after the Highrisers went nearly a year without a win.
Still, the breakthrough victory brought a renewed sense of optimism.
Coronel said she felt thrilled to finally see what the Highrisers are capable of when everything comes together. And she also feels excited about what lies ahead, believing the win could unlock even more from a group that is only beginning to discover its true potential.
“Actually, gusto ko lang i-share na last night, medyo nagkaroon ako ng ilang doubts kasi… Siyempre, matagal na rin ako sa team na ’to, and mataas na rin yung ine-expect ko sa team namin ngayon — na kaya talaga naming makipagsabayan. Lagi lang kasi kami kinakapos in the past,” she said.
“I’m so happy na today, napakita namin kung ano yung kaya ng team namin. And parang moving forward, I’m just so excited to see what else we’re capable of doing. Again, back to the drawing board after this win — tapos na ’to, back to training na naman kami.”
#WATCH: KUMAPIT KAMING LAHAT 🏐
Julia Coronel is proud to see Galeries Tower finally rise from adversity and snap their 17-game skid#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/G1WhScMxQX
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— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 7, 2026
