Galeries Tower clawed its way back from a 0-2 hole to stun Gerflor, 18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-18, 15-11, for its first ever win in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Ysa Jimenez, Raprap Aguilar and Andrea Marzan delivered crucial points in the fifth set as the Highrisers copped their breakthrough victory after 10 starts in their maiden run in the professional ranks.
“They earned it. They really worked hard for it,” Galeries Tower head coach Lerma Guiron said.
The Highrisers raced to an early 6-3 lead in the fifth set but the Defenders fought back to come within one, 8-7. A 5-2 run by Galeries Tower pushed their lead to 13-9.
Danika Gendrauli stopped Gerflor’s bleeding but committed a service error in the next play that pushed the Highrisers at match point. Dimdim Pacres ended the match with a sharp cross.
Roma Joy Doromal finished with 15 points from 10 kills, three kill blocks and two aces to lead Galeries Tower. Marzan had 14 markers while Jimenez, Graze Bombita and Aguilar got markers each.
The Highrisers turned the game around late in the third set, recovering from a 23-22 deficit with a decisive three straight points to end the frame with Aguilar hitting the last attack.
“We started very slow in the first two sets. We thought we’ll lose in straight. But the good thing is, I know these ladies will fight. Although they got battered at the start, they worked hard to get each point,” Guiron said.
The Defenders remained winless in 10 games and 15 straight overall since joining the league in the mid-season Invitational Conference.
Jeanette Villareal got 2 points while Shang Berte had 10 for Gerflor.
