ANTIPOLO – Galeries Tower scored its first back-to-back victories in franchise history after sweeping Strong Group, 25-17, 25-14 , 25-12, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday at the Ynares Center here.
The Highrisers, who scored a big five-set win over Capital1 last week, set the tone early and never let go en route to improving their record to 2-4, which already eclipsed their one-win output during their debut in the Second All-Filipino Conference last year.
“Una, thank you Lord. Pangalawa, yung mga nauna kasing games namin medyo challenging. Then saming coaches, talaga finigure out namin kung ano pa yung mga kulang, ano pa yung dadagdagan namin, ano yung babawasan,” said Galeries head coach Lerma Giron.
The Athletics defended the net well, winning the blocking battle with seven kill blocks against the opposing side’s one, but it was not enough to stop the hard-hitting Galeries, who delivered a total of 48 attack points in the one-hour, 16-minute contest.
SGA also struggled to find holes in the Highrisers’ floor defense, resulting in a subpar 19-point output in the attacks department.
“So far, so good naman. Nagrerespond ng maayos yung mga players dun sa adjustments na ginagawa namin,” she added.
Graze Bombita played her best game in a long while, pouring a game-high 16 points on 15 attacks and one ace to go along with three excellent receptions for Galeries while Audrey Paran added 12 markers and six excellent digs.
Fhen Emnas tossed 12 excellent sets to go along while Alyssa Eroa took charge defensively with 18 excellent digs in the Highrisers’ second consecutive victory of the tournament.
Galeries will aim to extend their streak once competition resumes on April 2 against Choco Mucho, 6:00 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
On the other hand, Sheeka Espinosa topscored for the winless Athletics, who dropped to 0-6, with seven points while team captain Dolly Versoza and Mary Joy Onofre chipped in six markers each in the defeat.
Strong Group will look for its first victory against Nxled on April 4, 6:00 p.m., also at the Philsports Arena.
