MONTALBAN — There was no illusion within the Galeries Tower organization that its sweeping offseason overhaul would instantly translate into results.
After a total reset that saw the previous coaching staff replaced and all but four players turned over, even longtime Highriser Julia Coronel admitted she was wrestling with doubt.
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“Gusto ko lang i-share na last night, medyo nagkaroon ako ng mga iilan na doubts,” Coronel said.
“Ang tagal ko na rin sa team na ‘to at mataas na rin ‘yung ine-expect ko sa team namin ngayon na kaya talaga dapat naming makipagsabayan pero lagi lang kaming kinakapos in the past.”
Those doubts were quickly washed away on Saturday night as Galeries Tower finally snapped a 17-game skid with a five-set victory over ZUS Coffee, securing its first PVL win in nearly a year.
Coronel orchestrated the breakthrough with 16 excellent sets and eight points, steering a balanced attack that saw four Highrisers reach double figures.
Drafted third overall two years ago, Coronel earned just the third victory of her young pro career and only the third five-set triumph in Galeries Tower’s three-year franchise history, following earlier escapes against Gerflor in 2023 and Capital1 in 2024.
Start of something new
For the Alas Pilipinas playmaker, the milestone meant more than just ending a drought as it felt like the first tangible step toward something the franchise has long chased.
“For the longest time, that’s the kind of culture that we’ve been wanting to build, that winning culture. And slowly, we’re getting there,” Coronel said.
“Alam kong may purpose lahat ‘tong pinagdadaanan talaga namin. I just use each and every day as motivation to keep showing up.”
With the weight of a year-long losing run finally lifted, Coronel and the Highrisers now look to turn one long-awaited breakthrough into the foundation for many more to come.
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