The Qualifying Round of the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference began on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena with a double-header that featured the first and third seeds. Here’s a recap of what happened:
Galeries Tower Stuns Cignal, Barges into Quarters
The stars aligned for the 10th-seeded Galeries Tower Highrisers.
Given little chance to win their Qualifying Round match against the 3rd-seeded Cignal HD Spikers, the Highrisers rose to the occasion and played their best game yet. The result was a stunning 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19 upset that turned the PVL upside-down.
Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo spearheaded Galeries’ historic upset, with the former dropping a career-high 23 points on 22 attacks and the latter firing 18 attacks anchored on an ace and a block. But there were heroes all round for the Highrisers as rookie Jewel Encarnacion chipped in 11 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Roselle Baliton and Andrea Marzan had 8 each.
Alyssa Eroa, meanwhile, anchored Galeries’ sensational defense with 28 excellent digs, while Fhen Emas came off the bench in the fourth set to add 10 excellent digs and 14 excellent sets.
Vanie Gandler led Cignal with 17 points, while rookie Ishie Lalongisip added 13 points, 12 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions. Their efforts, however, went for naught in the face of the Highrisers’ inspired and relentless effort all match long.
With the win, Galeries Tower secured a seat to the quarterfinals for the first time in franchise history. Cignal, meanwhile, joins Nxled in the play-ins.
Up next:
TBD
Creamline Sweeps Nxled, Secures Another Quarters Slot
The top-seeded Creamline Cool Smashers took care of business against the 12th-seeded Nxled Chameleons in the Qualifying Round, rolling to a 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 over their overmatched opponent.
Creamline dominated Nxled in every way, outgunning the Chameleons 47-33 and outblocking them 5-1 while also registering six service aces. Bea de Leon led the charge with 12 points anchored on five blocks and an ace as nine other Cool Smashers chipped in at least 3 markers. Tots Carlos added 9 points, while Michelle Gumabao and Jeanette Panaga each had 7.
Chiara Permentilla carried the fight for Nxled with 14 points on top of 18 excellent receptions and 6 excellent digs. But her best efforts proved futile as she got little support from the rest of the Chameleons.
With the win, the defending champions are now safely through to the quarterfinals. The Chameleons, meanwhile, will drop to the play-ins, where they will still have a chance to backdoor their way to the quarters.
Up next:
TBD
2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference: The Qualifying Round Continues
The Qualifying Round of the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference will continue on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena with another twin bill. The 2nd-seeded Petro Gazz Angels will take on the 11th-seeded Capital1 Solar Spikers in the curtain-raised. In the main game, the 5th-seeded Choco Mucho Flying Titans will go up against the 8th-seeded Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
