MONTALBAN — Nearly a year in the making, Galeries Tower finally has a win to show for its grind.
The Highrisers snapped a 17-game skid by surviving ZUS Coffee’s five-set scare, 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Ynares Center II.
Rookie middle blocker Jean Asis capped a 7-2 game-winning run to seal a pivotal triumph for the erstwhile winless side.
The breakthrough came at the expense of last year’s Reinforced Conference runner-up and marked Galeries Tower’s first league victory after 17 consecutive defeats, a drought that dated back to the previous All-Filipino Conference.
Ironically, the Highrisers’ last win before this also came under unlikely circumstances when they stunned third-seeded Cignal in the qualifying round as the No. 10 seed.
Highrisers rising
After capitalizing on eight ZUS Coffee errors to steal the opening set, Galeries Tower found itself staring at a 9-15 deficit in the second frame before flipping the script.
The Highrisers clawed their way back with a relentless run that turned the hole into a 19-18 lead, a momentum swing they never relinquished en route to a commanding two-sets-to-none advantage.
It nearly turned into deja vu in the third, but the Thunderbelles refused to fold as they erased a 22-23 deficit behind clutch finishing from Jovelyn Gonzaga, Riza Nogales and Wielyn Estoque to stay alive.
ZUS Coffee then leaned on that same resolve to grind out a tight fourth set and force a deciding fifth, but the comeback bid fizzled in the tiebreak.
Galeries Tower regained control as Jean Asis and veteran winger Aiza Maizo-Pontillas traded blows to shut the door on a full reverse sweep.
Beyond the familiar names, rookie Erika Deloria emerged as a revelation for the Highrisers, delivering 18 points and 15 receptions in a breakout showing.
Gayle Pascual matched her with 18 markers against her former team, while Maizo-Pontillas chipped in 11 points and 17 digs, and Asis added 10.
Nearly struck gold
Momentum had clearly swung ZUS Coffee’s way as it inched closer to pulling Galeries Tower into a five-set collapse.
Gonzaga’s triple-double of 13 points, 18 digs and 14 receptions ultimately went unrewarded, despite strong support from Chinnie Arroyo with 20 points and twin 13-point outings from Thea Gagate and reserve winger Estoque.
Nogales also held her ground with a steady 17-point effort built on 11 attacks, four blocks and two aces, but it wasn’t enough as Galeries Tower finally found the finishing touch it had been chasing for nearly a year.
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