Roselle Baliton hopes that Galeries Tower's major upset win over Nxled was a rewarding step toward building a winning culture in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Roselle Baliton felt more than just relief after Galeries Tower stunned Nxled Chameleons in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
For her, it was proof that the unseen work was finally paying off.
The Highrisers pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament so far, shocking the previously unbeaten Chameleons in four sets, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, on Thursday, February 19, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan City.
Baliton was front and center in the win after finishing with 16 points on seven attacks, seven blocks, and two service aces.
"Sobrang nakakataba ng puso," Baliton said during the post-game press conference. "Kumbaga, ang dami ng pinagdaanan ng team. Sana start din 'to ng magkaroon ng winning culture."
"Napapatunayan din namin na kung ano 'yung pinapakita namin sa training, lumalabas din," she added.
Going all out for the win
Baliton also highlighted the mindset shift she noticed during key stretches of the match, particularly when Galeries Tower began to pull away in the fourth frame.
That hunger, paired with the energy the tall middle blocker provided on the floor, proved vital against a hard-hitting Nxled side.
"Kapag nagkaka-run kami, makikita mo talaga na gusto ng lahat manalo," she said. "Malaking help din siya lalo kapag nagkakaroon ng run 'yung kalaban."
"And knowing na hard hitters talaga 'yung kalaban namin, kailangan talaga ng extra, extra, extra energy."
[ALSO READ: Erika Deloria emerges as key piece in Galeries Tower’s breakthrough PVL win]
Still more to come
But rather than seeing the upset as a one-off, Baliton described it as a stepping stone toward something bigger for the Highrisers, which has struggled in past PVL conferences.
Roselle Baliton and Galeries Tower after their upset of Nxled. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Now with a 2-2 record, Galeries Tower sits comfortably in the middle of the standings, tied with Capital1 for 5th place.
"Bini-build namin 'yun paunti-unti sa training," she said. "Nag-stick lang din kami [sa system] or kung nawawala 'man, bumabalik lang din kami dun sa kung ano 'yung mga tinuturo sa training po."
The Highrisers will look to build on the momentum when they face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Thursday, February 26, at the same venue.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.