GALERIES Tower took the concept of a clean slate to an extreme, releasing 13 players and five coaches in a sweeping overhaul that signals a full reset ahead of the 2026 PVL season.
Less than 24 hours after unveiling Aying Esteban’s new coaching staff, the Highrisers formally parted ways with former PVL champion coach Godfrey Okumu.
Also exiting the organization are assistant coach John Subiere, physical therapist Glen Marc Toledo, and statisticians Miguel Vinarao and Angelo Dela Paz.
READ: Galeries Tower goes USTe for all new coaching staff
Taking their place alongside Esteban is an all–University of Santo Tomas coaching and support crew composed of John Abella, JM Millado, Emman Dedoroy, Lorence Cruz, and physical therapist Migs Dizon.
The more striking development, however, came on the roster front, with Galeries Tower electing to let go of nearly its entire lineup in one decisive move.
Already shown the door days earlier were inaugural team captain Fhen Emnas and Dimdim Pacres, followed by the confirmed departures of key spikers France Ronquillo and Ysa Jimenez, who have since signed with Capital1.
Completing the mass exodus are Dodee Batindaan, Juliet Catindig, Carly Hernandez, Andrea Marzan, Audrey Paran, Lia Pelaga, Ivy Perez, Marian Andal, and Shannen Palec.
Last four rising
In effect, only four players remain from last season’s squad.
Now left holding the fort for the Highrisers are first-round draft picks from the past two years in Julia Coronel and Jean Asis, fellow draftee Winnie Bedaña and veteran middle blocker Roselle Baliton.
With the offseason already shaping up as one of the most frenetic in league history, 11 of the 13 released Highrisers are now set to enter free agency with just over three weeks remaining before the 2026 All-Filipino Conference opens on January 31.
What Galeries Tower does next, both in terms of recruitment and identity, will be closely watched, as the league heads toward a dramatically reshaped new season.
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