There were moments in her career when Ara Galang thought about walking away.
Following a gruesome knee injury in 2015 that resulted in tears to her ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus, thoughts of giving up the sport began to creep into Galang’s mind—especially as the lingering effects of the injury continued to hamper her in the years that followed.
But she held on, and her hard work had been rewarded with a return to the game she loves, and a place on the biggest stage of Philippine volleyball.
“Proud din ako sa sarili ko kasi kumbaga hindi ako nagpabaya at patuloy pa rin akong lumalaban. Patuloy pa rin akong sa pag-alaga sa sarili ko para at least syempre, ma-experience ko pa ‘yung ganitong part sa career ko,” Galang told Tiebreaker Times.
That same resilience has also defined Chery Tiggo’s campaign in the 2025 PVL On Tour.
Despite playing shorthanded — with some players sidelined by injuries and others called up to the national team — the Crossovers still managed to fight their way to the finale, relying on a total team effort to keep their run alive.
At the heart of that effort was a revitalized Galang, who rediscovered her rhythm and played a pivotal role in steadying the team, proving that her decision to hold on continues to bear fruit.
And while Galang and Chery Tiggo ultimately fell short of the crown, they put up a gallant stand against a star-studded, towering PLDT side — pushing their opponents to the brink and coming agonizingly close to pulling off the upset.
(C) PVL Images
In the final, the Crossovers stumbled out of the gate, dropping the first two sets and staring at what seemed like an inevitable sweep. But instead of folding, they clawed their way back, forcing a deciding frame before ultimately running out of steam against the High Speed Hitters.
Even in defeat, there was pride in the way Chery Tiggo fought — refusing to roll over and instead battling point for point until the very end. It was that grit, Galang said, that made their run to the finals all the more profound.
“Syempre nakaka-proud na umabot kami sa finals. Masaya ako kasi maganda rin naman pinakita ng team eh, hindi naman namin basta basta binigay lang,” said the 30-year-old outside hitter, who poured her heart out with 22 point and eight excellent digs.
“So pinagtrabauhan din namin, kinapos lang kami pero at least nandun talaga ‘yung kagustuhan naming makuha ‘yung championship. Pero ‘yun nga, ‘di pa siguro time,” she added.
But what made the moment even more special for Galang was the company she shared it with.
She went to battle alongside fellow La Salle great Aby Maraño, while across the net stood her former college teammates Kim Fajardo, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, and Kianna Dy — turning the gold medal match into a reunion of sorts for the Lady Spikers of old.
The ties ran even deeper with their former La Salle and F2 Logistics mentors, head coach Ramil de Jesus and assistant Noel Orcullo, also in attendance to witness the occasion — figures who, along with her ex-teammates, once stood by her side and kept her pushing forward during the moments when she was on the verge of calling it quits.
“Una siyempre sa aming Chery muna, na umabot kami sa final, first time ko lang din umabot sa finals with Chery. Tapos ang katapat ko pa sa other team, eh ‘yung mga former teammates ko na champion team din kami, and nanonood din ‘yung mentor namin, coach namin dati,” said the former UAAP MVP.
“Siyempre ang akin lang, sana proud ‘yung mga tao sa mga pinakita namin, sa pinagtrabahuhan namin. Masaya ako kasi nare-recognize din naman ‘yung mga tao and naa-appreciate nila ‘yung effort,” she added.
For Galang, it was more than just another finals appearance — it was a chapter that felt destined. To share the court with former teammates and perform under the watchful eyes of the very mentors who once molded her made the stage all the more meaningful.
And for all the times she thought about quitting, she’s grateful she chose to hold on.
Because in moments like these, Galang knows she was right to keep fighting.
#WATCH: “HINDI PA SIGURO TIME”
Ara Galang stays proud of Chery Tiggo for giving their all against a stacked PLDT squad until the very end! 🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVLonTour pic.twitter.com/4co0Ns5jXo
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) August 17, 2025
