Galeries Tower libero Alyssa Eroa during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Galeries Tower libero Alyssa Eroa proved that she still belongs to the pros after emerging as one of the top-performing floor defenders in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Eroa was one of the bright spots in the Highrisers’ best PVL campaign yet with three wins in 11 games as she emerged as the Best Digger of the elimination round with 5.41 digs per set.
“I’m so happy because I got the chance to play again here in the PVL. Until now, I can’t believe that I can make it back here,” said Eroa in Filipino after leading Galeries’ gallant stand with 25 digs before falling to semifinal-bound Chery Tiggo in five sets, 26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo gets semifinals spot with tough win over Galeries
“I’m thankful to Galeries’ management because they trusted me to play for their team because the last time I played here was with BaliPure in [the bubble tournament]. After that, I lost hope because nobody was contacting me.”
The San Sebastian College product worked her way back to the pros by staying in shape and even playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association.
WATCH: Galeries libero Alyssa Eroa after earning a second chance to play in the pros. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/XsLZDhQwwv
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“I am surprised, with the blessing of God, that a PVL team contacted me. I won’t waste this second chance,” Eroa said.
Eroa’s addition to Galeries may have not resulted in a semifinal appearance but the young team showed a vast improvement from its one-win season in the All-Filipino Conference — the Highrisers’ debut tournament.
READ: PVL: Creamline, Galeries Tower find things to build on
“I’m happy because we reached our goal to have a better outing this conference, especially in our last game, which will serve as a confidence booster heading to the next,” she said. “We fought until the end.”
Eroa credited her impressive PVL comeback to coaches Lerma Giron and Godfrey Okumu, who took her floor defense to the next level.
But in the Reinforced Invitational Conference in July, the veteran libero hopes for better mental toughness from young Highriser until they reach their goal of contending for a title.
“We have to learn how to handle frustration during the game. That’s the biggest lesson for me, making it up to the team right away when we commit lapses,” Eroa said.