THE Lams Lamina era at Galeries Tower got off to a winning start as the Highrisers fended off Farm Fresh, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, in their PVL on Tour opener on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center.
Fresh from being selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, Lamina made an immediate impact off the bench, joining Alas Pilipinas setter Julia Coronel in keeping Galeries Tower's offense running at a high level.
READ: Alas Pilipinas eyed as guest team in PVL Invitational
Coronel posted 21 excellent sets, while Lamina seized her chances with seven in her PVL debut.
The Highrisers' two-setter rotation paid dividends as veterans like Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and young guns Erika Deloria, Lycha Ebon and Jade Gentapa thrived behind the steady playmaking to power the club's encouraging start to its new chapter.
Deloria turned in the best performance of her young PVL career, erupting for a triple-double of 24 points, 13 receptions, and 10 digs to spearhead Galeries Tower's statement win.
Maizo-Pontillas provided steady support with 13 points, while Jean Asis and Roselle Baliton chipped in nine apiece, the latter delivering the match-clinching hit. The Ebon-Gentapa tandem also combined for 14 points with seven each.
"Binilin ko nga sa mga players ko na dito namin masusubukan 'yung mga skills na pinaghirapan namin itong bago mag-season," said Highrisers coach Aying Esteban.
"Maganda 'yung kinalabasan ng game kasi nga dahil na rin sa kagustuhan din namin na manalo ngayong araw na 'to, lalo na't hindi basta-basta rin si Farm Fresh."
Highest rise
The Highrisers stormed to a 7-0 start in the opening set, leaving no room for doubt as their cushion even grew by as much as 10 at 12-2.
More of a proper fight ensued in the second frame, with the late tug-of-war swinging the Foxies’ way as a service error from Galeries Tower rookie Ann Asis and a down-the-line hit from Mylene Paat-Rezanova drew the game.
But the gutsy Highrisers didn’t let a methodical first-set showing go to waste, leaving the veteran Foxies core flat-footed for the remainder of the game to take out the All-Filipino Conference semifinalists in four sets.
Royse Tubino finished with 12 points while Ara Galang added 11 for Farm Fresh. Louie Romero and newcomer Iris Tolenada split setting duties with Alohi Robins-Hardy still in the United States and expected to rejoin the team later this year.
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