Despite finishing the tournament winless, Galeries Tower head coach Lerma Giron still praised the Highrisers for putting up a strong fight against the top teams in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Galeries capped off its first Reinforced Conference with a 0-8 slate – its worst since joining the league last year—but its performances throughout the tournament showed that it is more than just its winless record.
“Of course, kumbaga, unlike before, nananalo kami paisa-isang set, ngayon nadagdagan naman dalawang set, nakaka-fifth set,” said Giron after the Highrisers’ four-set loss against Capital1 to cap off their campaign last Tuesday.
Galeries came close to winning a game four times in the Reinforced Conference, figuring in thrilling five-set clashes against Nxled and Farm Fresh before pushing top-ranked Akari and second-seeded Cignal to their limits.
Winning at least two out of the four games could have easily given the Highrisers a shot at making the playoffs, which is why Giron could only lament the missed opportunities that kept the team from advancing further.
(c) PVL Images
“Pero then again nga, kulang pa rin talaga ng pukpok dun sa dulo, tulad din ng last game namin kanina. Hindi pa ganun nade-develop talaga ‘yung maturity, sabay-sabay sa team, na bumibigay pa rin sa dulo. Na sa halip na ‘pag binigay sa’yo ‘yung bola, nasa isip mo, patayin [at] pumuntos. Patay naman, kaso score ng kalaban,” said the UST assistant coach.
“Pero again, good run pa rin ‘to para sa amin kasi nakita natin, dati ‘yung nakalaban namin ‘yung Akari, I’m not aware na sa kabilang pool pala, si Akari ‘yung number one. Eh nag-five sets kami. So it should be an accomplishment na rin sa ‘min ‘yon na ‘yung top team ng kabila, eh talagang nilabanan namin nang todo. ‘Yun nga lang, wala kaming panapos.”
One of the highlights of Galeries’ campaign, as often pointed out by opposing teams, was the team’s impenetrable defense, led by libero Alyssa Eroa and Thai reinforcement Sutadta Chuewulim.
However, the lack of a big-time scorer significantly hurt the Highrisers’ chances, especially in crucial encounters that went the distance.
Now, the main focus for Giron and her team is to find a player who fits that role perfectly so that next time, they won’t have to dwell on the what-ifs.
(C) PVL Images
“[Apat] na games ‘yung lagi kaming nafu-frustrate at nadi-disappoint. May time pa nga na lamang kami, biglang nahabol pa, talo pa. Talagang samu’t sari ‘yung emotions, disappointment, frustrations, at the same time din, looking [at] the brighter side, hindi naman tayo pwedeng mag-dwell lang doon sa negative na aspeto eh, na uy, kaya pala namin,” said Giron.
“Wala pa kaming star player diyan. Wala pa kaming gano’n ka-dominant na player, na sabihin na natin na may pangalan talaga. Meron kami star player kaso non-scoring. ‘Yun talaga ‘yung lamang namin. Kaya kanina rin, medyo ganun ‘yung performance niya, hirap din kami talaga sa depensa,” she continued.
“So ‘yun, brighter side, kaya pala. Magkaroon siguro, mas maging consistent lang at ready mag-accept ‘yung mga players, i-welcome nila, i-embrace nila ‘yung pressure. ‘Pag natutunan na ‘yun, talagang ‘di lang sabay. Talagang sasalpukin nila ‘yung kalaban. Pero at the moment, under construction pa.”
