SANTA ROSA — Galeries Tower crawled back from a 1-2 deficit to turn back Capital1 in five sets, 17-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10, and secure its first win in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, Saturday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here.
The Highrisers overcame an early deficit in the fourth before fending off a late run by the Solar Spikers in the fifth set.
That snapped their five-game losing streak, which started last conference, and improved their record to 1-4.
“It feels fantastic. First win is always very, very important. Again, we cannot say that our opponent is a weak team – they have players with experience, their coach is a legend, coach Roger,” said Galeries assistant coach Godfrey Okumu.
“He had a good plan, they played well, and we’re happy to win this game.”
After a momentum-boosting win in the fourth, the Highrisers raced to a 9-3 start in the finale. Roma Doromal poured three points in the pivotal run that gave her side enough cushion to ward off Capital1’s last-ditch attempt to save the game.
Galeries stretched the lead to eight points, 13-5, before Des Clemente delivered three points in a six-to-nothing swing which cut the deficit to three points.
Anne Esguerra then scored on a quick hit before Graze Bombita went for the game-winning block on Ja Lana.
“We still say that our team is a team in progress. We’re moving forward. It’s a mix between young players and veteran players so we’re trying to bring in these two together. I believe that with time, we will be there because we see progress,” added Okumu.
Team captain Fhen Emnas steered the Highrisers’ balanced offensive attack, coming up with 21 excellent sets to go along with seven big points in the two-hour, 20-minute game.
Meanwhile, Alyssa Eroa registered 28 excellent digs.
Doromal led the team in scoring with 14 points on 10 attacks and four aces while Bombita added 12 markers.
Esguerra and Audrey Paran had nine each, while Norielle Ipac added eight.
Galeries will face off against Strong Group on Saturday, 4:00 PM at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
On the other hand, Patty Orendain paced the 1-4 Capital1 with 19 points on 15 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
Clemente and Aiko Urdas chimed in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Solar Spikers will take on defending champion Creamline on Thursday, 4:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
