IF Galeries Tower wants to build on its surprise quarterfinals run in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, then it all starts with fixing that glaring hole in the middle.
For a team called ‘Highrisers’, size and length on the net is certainly one of the more pressing concerns for coach Lerma Giron and the rest of the squad, and that’s something that they’re hellbent on addressing when they pick second in the 2025 PVL Draft on June 4.
That is, unless Capital1 does the unthinkable and passes on consensus top-pick and three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen.
“Kung hindi kukunin ni Capital1 sa first pick, eventually siguro si [Bella] Belen ‘yun, aba'y kukunin namin,” Giron said.
“Pero if ever, prayoridad namin is middle [blocker].”
READ: Gorayeb has no doubt who Capital1 will pick No. 1: 'Si Belen talaga'
While priorities are in order for the Highrisers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they’re willing to put those concerns on the side if it means pairing the ultra-talented Belen with Alas Pilipinas setter Julia Coronel.
“Nu’ng time na ‘yun, actually nanonood lang ako live. Sobrang masaya kami du’n sa team, tsaka 'yung management kasi kumbaga, 'di naman lingid [sa kaalaman ng lahat na] nagkaroon kami talaga ng adjustment and revamp,” she said.
“Mapalad kami at napunta kami du’n sa second pick. At least kung ano 'yung need talaga ng team, matutugunan.”
Filling a huge void
As far as offseason movements go, the Highrisers lost a big piece of their core in libero-slash-captain Alyssa Eroa who joined another rebuilding team in ZUS Coffee.
For a team that takes pride in their floor defense, Giron has no worries on how the team will fill that void upon signing a yet-to-be-named replacement.
The way she puts it: “abangan niyo na lang sa [social media] pages namin. Magugulat na lang kayo.”
“Hindi muna libero kukunin ko. Hindi libero kasi nagawan na namin ng paraan ‘yun. So priority namin ngayon, [middle] kasi may injured na middle player, eh major role ‘yun.”
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