After nearly a year of frustration, the Galeries Tower Highrisers finally found relief, snapping a 17-game losing streak with a hard-earned five-set victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center Montalban on Saturday, February 7.
Veterans and Young Guns to the Rescue
The breakthrough came in the deciding set, where both teams were locked at 8-all before Jean Asis and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas ignited a decisive 5-0 run that pushed the Highrisers to a 13-8 cushion. Thea Gagate briefly halted the surge, but Erika Raagas answered with a timely point to bring Galeries Tower to match point, 14-9.
After a service error, Asis made sure the moment would not slip away, delivering the final blow to seal the long-awaited win.
“Masaya kami, kaming lahat, kasi ‘yung pinaghihirapan namin, even though short time lang ‘yung pagsasama namin, nagre-react sila doon sa ginagawa naming system. So, very happy ako doon sa resulta namin ngayong araw,” said head coach Clarence Esteban, who was appointed just before the conference began.
Rookie Erika Deloria and Gayle Pascual paced the Highrisers with 18 points apiece, while Maizo-Pontillas added 11 points. Asis chipped in 10 markers, highlighted by her composure in the closing moments.
A Long-Awaited Breakthrough
The win was Galeries Tower’s first since February 27, 2025, when it stunned the Cignal Super Spikers in the qualifying round. Since then, the Highrisers went winless through the PVL On Tour and the Reinforced Conference before finally breaking through on Saturday.
For ZUS Coffee, Chinnie Arroyo finished with a game-high 20 points on 17 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace. Riza Nogales added 17 points, while Gagate and Jovelyn Gonzaga scored 13 points each. Wielyn Estoque rounded out the Thunderbelles’ balanced effort with 10 points.
What’s Next in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference:
Tuesday, February 10, Mall of Asia Arena
Farm Fresh Foxies vs. Cignal Super Spikers, 4:00 p.m.
Creamline Cool Smashers vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 6:30 p.m.
Galeries Tower Highrisers
Saturday (February 14) vs. Farm Fresh Foxies, 4:00 p.m., Ynares Center Antipolo
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles
Thursday (February 12) vs. Akari Chargers, 6:30 p.m., FilOil Centre
