Galeries Towers finally broke through, overcoming a 0-2 deficit against the struggling Gerflor, securing an 18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-18, 15-11 victory for its first franchise win in a battle of two already-eliminated teams in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Thursday.
The Highrisers started the game slowly, dropping the first two sets before mounting a late comeback in the third set. That sparked a massive turnaround, leading to their first-ever victory.
This win placed them at solo 11th place with a 1-9 standing.
“First of all, thank you lord, binigay sa’min ‘tong first win namin sa conference. Kumbaga, they earned it naman eh,” said Galeries head coach Lerma Giron after the victory.
“Talagang pinaghirapan nila. Yun lang, we started very slow, yung first two sets — talagang, akala namin mastre-straight sets kami eh.”
After losing the first two sets and fighting through the next two to stay alive, the Highrisers found themselves in a 6-all deadlock with the Defenders early in the first set.
However, the timely entry of Ysa Jimenez, who immediately unleashed a cross-court hit, sparked a 5-1 rally to take an 11-7 edge. Gerflor never found its rhythm afterwards, trading hits with Galeries.
Dimdim Pacres then nailed the game-clinching cross-court hit.
The Highrisers recovered from a 0-2 deficit after making a late push in the third set, overcoming a 22-23 disadvantage via a 3-0 run spearheaded by Doromal.
“Pero good thing is, alam natin yung ladies na talagang lalaban at lalaban. Yun nga lang, nagpapabugbog tapos sa dulo magtatrabaho nang todo. So yun, pinaghirapan nila bawat puntos dun,” added Giron.
Doromal top-scored for the Highrisers with 15 points on 10 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Meanwhile, Andrea Marzan delivered 11 points and three blocks to finish with 14 points in the victory.
Jimenez, Graze Bombita, and Raprap Aguilar each chipped in nine markers, with Aguilar also collecting 11 excellent digs.
Fhen Emnas tossed 13 excellent sets to go along with three points, while Juliet Catindig tallied 20 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
On the other hand, Jeanette Villareal paced the winless Defenders with 12 points on 11 attacks and one block, while Shang Berte added 10 markers. Menchie Tubiera and Danika Gendrauli added nine markers each.
Lhara Clavano dished out 15 excellent sets, while Pia Sarmiento had 17 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.
Galeries will face defending champion Creamline on Tuesday at 4:00 PM. Meanwhile, Gerflor will end its campaign against Cignal earlier that day at 2:00 PM at the same venue.
