Alyssa Eroa and Galeries Tower Tower High Risers defeated Cignal HD Spyker in the qualifying round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference. -marlo cueto/Inquirer.net
Based on their performance in the reserve round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference, counting how they progressed since joining the league, the Galeries Tower Highrisers hope to be expected on the list of everyone on their teams that will advance to the quarterfinals.
On Thursday night, Alyssa Eloa and her teammates tore those lists.
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“We played so many games, why don’t you want to win this?” Emotional Eroa said her team surprised the 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, depleted third-place Signal team at the Philsport Arena.
“We really wanted [to win before]but we wondered why we weren’t always enough. Why didn’t we reach that next level? That’s what portrayed our strength,” said France Ronkiro. France Longkilo scored 20 points from 18 kills, blocks and aces, delivering along with 13 excellent receptions.
Ronkiro also sealed the match with a kill of the match.
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After finishing the classification stage with one win in 11 games and landing in 10th place, Gallery’s Tower went against expectations, securing its biggest achievement since joining the league by winning a spot in the quarterfinals.
“There was a time when we asked questions because it felt like all of our efforts were being led anywhere,” said Ysa Jimenez, who led the highlighter with 23 points, with everything but one from the attack.
“But we held on the belief that everything happens for a reason. As they say, if something is meant for you, it will come,” she added.
When the Play-In Tournament begins next, Gallery’s Tower has time to savor its unlikely feat. The team is waiting for the winners of Farm Fresh and Akari in the quarter-final matchup starting March 15th.
Gallery’s Tower, which will play in the third meeting, never approached the playoffs. However, this determined stand guarantees a finishing touch of at least 8th place.
There’s nothing to lose, so the hungry prepared highlighter played with everything to get it all. And everything fell for the milestone victory.
“The coach said there was no pressure. We had nothing to lose, so we just enjoyed the game and we were confident in our preparation,” Jimenez said.
“I don’t think success will happen overnight. When we won the first game, that’s what I said, and that’s still true. This is all part of the process,” added Coach Lerma Giron.
“In the past, we weren’t entirely there, so we were always there ‘not close’. But now I’m watching it on my players and the coaching staff. We have found unity, yet far from perfect. ”
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“We used to play with a variety of goals. Now we’re all on the same page and this is the outcome. It’s the process.”
