After nine games into their inaugural PVL conference, the Galeries Tower Highrisers finally secured their first win in the league after pulling off a reverse sweep against the Gerflor Defenders, 18-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-18, 15-11, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Defenders looked on their way to securing their first win in the conference after grabbing the first two sets, however, the Highrisers had different plans.
The Galeries suddenly turned up their intensity to snatch the third and fourth set, before putting away Gerflor in the fifth and final set.
The Highrisers not only secured their first win in the PVL, but they also denied the Defenders of beating them to the feat.
Roma Joy Doromal led the way for the Galeries with a game-high 15 points, while Andrea Marzan added 14 markers as well.
After the game, Doromal simply described this match against Gerflor as their “championship match” given how the two teams were battling to secure their first win in the league.
“Honestly talaga, feel namin championship ito kasi labanan namin sa baba, so sobrang (saya) mag-e-end ‘yung season on a high note,” Doromal said during the post-game interview.
“Siguro 'yung motivation namin is 'yung hunger talaga na makakuha ng isang panalo. Hindi lang isang set eh, manalo talaga. Binigyan namin kayo ng championship,” she added later in the post-game press conference.
Highrisers coach Lerma Giron had nothing but praises for the team after showing their determination to win the game despite being two sets down.
“They earned it naman eh. Talagang pinaghirapan nila,” said Giron. “'Yung first two sets talagang akala namin ma-straight set kami eh pero good thing is alam naman natin 'yung ladies na talagang lalaban at lalaban.”
The Galeries will eye back-to-back wins as they look to upset the defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday at the PhilsSorts Arena.
Gerflor, meanwhile, will have one more shot at securing their first win this conference as they face the Cignal HD Spikers also on Tuesday.
(CF)