Galeries Towers High Risers’ Roma Joy Doromal in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Galeries Tower finally got its breakthrough win, fighting back from two sets down and edging hapless Gerflor in five sets, 18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-18, 15-11, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
When the Defenders were two points away from sweeping the game, 23-22, the Highrisers coach Lerma Giron found the right combination to pull off a comeback with Roma Joy Doromal and Andrea Marzan leading the way to end a nine-game skid.
“I found the right people, who were ready and had the spirit to win this game. I just got the right combination of players, which was the biggest change in the game,” said Galeries coach Lerma Giron in Filipino.
“They earned this first win in the conference. We started very slow in the first two sets. The good thing is that we knew the ladies would keep fighting.”
Galeries Tower High Risers’ Andrea Marzan. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Doromal powered Galeries with 15 points built on 10 spikes, three blocks, and two aces, while Marzan chipped in 14 points including three blocks to earn their maiden win ahead of their final game of the season against defending champion Creamline on Tuesday next week.
“We were hungry to get our first win,” said Doromal.
Ysa Jimenez and Raprap Aguilar delivered the clutch hits in the fifth set to finish with nine points each before Dimdim Pacres nailed the game-clinching attack. Graze Bombita also scored nine. Setter Fhen Emnas made 13 excellent sets on top of three points, while libero Juliet Catindig had 20 digs and 11 excellent receptions.
“Our resiliency was tested. We bounced back in the third set and I’m thankful to my teammates because we forced a fifth set and won this game,” Emnas said in Filipino.
Galeries coach Giron seeks to build from this win, hoping to be more competitive next season.
“It takes time to build a competitive team. It’s not about the skills, it’s about the system, discipline, and teamwork. We will carry this next season,” she said.
Gerflor remained winless in 10 games, absorbing its 15th straight loss despite earning its first set wins this conference.
Jeanette Villareal and Shang Berte led the Defenders with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Danika Gendrauli and Menchie Tubiera had nine points each.