No one expected Galeries to be this competitive, let alone secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
But they did.
Highrisers head coach Lerma Giron couldn’t feel prouder of the fight and heart her team displayed throughout the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference — where they defied expectations and made an inspiring Cinderella run to the quarterfinals.
“Before mag-start ‘yung game kanina, ‘yun ‘yung sinabi ko sa mga players. Sabi ko na kahit anuman maging resulta nung game, proud na proud ako sa kanila at sa team. Kasi walang nag-expect na makakarating kami sa ganito,” said Giron.
“Para sa amin, it’s a milestone talaga.”
Entering the qualifying round as the tenth-seeded squad in the preliminaries, Galeries shocked the league with a stunning five-set victory over the third-ranked Cignal, earning their first-ever trip to the quarterfinals.
Everyone counted them out again. But once more, the Highrisers rose to the challenge, pushing the seventh-seeded Akari to the limit.
In Game 1, Galeries held a 2-1 advantage but faltered in the end, falling to the Chargers in a 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 16-25, 11-15 defeat that put them on the brink of elimination.
(C) PVL Images
The Highrisers had every opportunity to extend the series to a deciding Game 3 after once again taking a two-sets-to-none lead. Unfortunately, their lack of experience showed in the crucial moments, allowing the Chargers to mount a comeback and seal the series victory on Thursday night.
Despite the heartbreak, Giron had no regrets. She knew her team — despite lacking the firepower needed for a deep playoff run — gave everything they had every time they stepped on the Taraflex.
And while it was tough to see her squad bow out after a brave stand that saw them climb out of the league’s cellar, the UST assistant coach emphasized that such heartbreak was necessary for the young team, believing it would only make them stronger moving forward.
“Oo, sabi ko nga sa kanila kanina sa post-huddle namin, kailangan naming pagdaanan ‘to. Kailangan nilang pagdaanan ‘to. ‘Yung heartbreaks, ‘yung sayang, ‘yung sakit, kailangan naming pagdaanan ‘to kasi hindi pa handa ‘yung team, one year pa lang eh, para lumaban sa ganito,” said Giron.
“So marami pa, sabi ko nakita niyo kung ano pa ‘yung mga dapat trabahuhin. Especially ‘yung mental and emotional aspects. So ano pa, malaki pa ‘yung dapat i-improve ng team.”
Carrying with them all the lessons from this impressive yet painful campaign, Giron and her wards will head into the offseason determined to get better.
And with more experience and preparation, they hope to return as a more formidable force ready to make an even deeper run in the next conference.
