Chery Tiggo's Ara Galang savored her first-ever PVL individual award as Best Opposite Spiker in the 2025 Invitational, calling it both a reward for her sacrifices and motivation to keep pushing forward.
After years of hard work and sacrifice, Ara Galang finally took home her first individual award in the PVL.
Galang was named Best Opposite Spiker in the 2025 PVL Invitational after leading the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to a fourth-place finish.
The veteran spiker backed up her award with solid numbers, finishing eighth in scoring with 69 points, ninth in spiking at 25.93 percent, fourth in blocking at 0.55 per set, and seventh in digging at 2.00 per set.
“Super happy ako na nagbunga ‘yung pagod ko and ‘yung mga sacrifices and very grateful ako sa mga naka-suporta sakin like ‘yung buong Chery Tiggo, from coaches, sa PTs, S&C, teammates ko. Siyempre, hindi ko naman din makukuha ‘yun kung walang tulong nila,” Galang told One Sports.
For Galang, though, the award is not a finish line but a reminder to keep improving.
She emphasized the importance of recovery after a grueling stretch of back-to-back tournaments, while also maintaining her physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
“Siyempre, hindi naman dahil nagka-award ako ngayon, mag-stop na ako. Siyempre, magpapatuloy lang ako, magsisimula ulit ayusin ‘yung physical, emotional, and mental health. Siyempre kailangan ‘yun para maka-recover,” she said.
“Dun muna ako mag-focus and then pagbalik ng training, dun ako unti-unti sa skills naman.”
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The former La Salle standout also admitted she’s still working toward regaining her peak form after multiple injuries in recent years, but remains determined to push past her limits.
“So far ngayon, okay naman ako. Masasabi kong close to 100 percent naman, although siyempre minsan may mga iniindang sakit. Hindi naman ‘yun mawawala, ganun talaga. Mapu-push talaga ng mapu-push, so hangga’t kaya ko pa taasan ‘yung laro ko, ‘yun yung goal ko,” said Galang.
For now, it's rest and recovery for Galang and the Crossovers as they get ready for the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference in October.