In what stands as one of the biggest upsets of the conference so far, the Galeries Tower Highrisers handed the Nxled Chameleons their first loss of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, at the FilOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday, February 19.
Galeries Tower showed composure in crunch time, particularly in the fourth set. After building a slim 21-20 advantage, the Highrisers faced a late surge led by three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle, who trimmed the deficit to just one.
Galeries Tower Makes All the Big Plays
Middle blocker Roselle Baliton responded with a timely block that halted Nxled’s momentum and ignited the Highrisers’ bench. Van Sickle then sent an attack long before Erika Raagas delivered a down-the-line hit to push Galeries Tower to match point, 24-21.
Although Maji Mangulabnan committed a setting error to keep Nxled alive, Raagas made sure the opportunity would not slip away, sealing the upset victory.
“Talagang ginusto nila manalo ‘tong araw na ‘to. Siyempre, masayang-masya ako doon sa ginalaw nila ngayon na kahit nanggaling kami doon sa straight sets na talo, pero ang ganda ng reaction nila ngayon doon sa adjustments nila ngayon, ‘yung mga depensa, lahat,” said head coach Clarence Esteban.
Baliton led the Highrisers with 16 points built on 7 attacks, 7 blocks, and 2 aces. Erika Deloria matched that output with 16 points of her own, while Gayle Pascual added 13, and Jean Asis chipped in 12 in a balanced offensive effort.
Van Sickle paced Nxled with 21 points. Chiara May Permentilla contributed 16 points, highlighted by 4 service aces, but the Chameleons could not complete the late comeback.
What’s Next in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference
Saturday, February 21, FilOil Centre
Creamline Cool Smashers vs. Capital1 Solar Spikers, 4:00 p.m.
Zus Coffee Thunderbelles vs. Farm Fresh Foxies, 6:30 p.m.
Galeries Tower Highrisers
Thursday (February 26) vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 6:30 p.m., FilOil Centre
Nxled Chameleons
Tuesday (February 24) vs. Akari Chargers, 4:00 p.m., FilOil Centre
