After 345 days, Highrisers finally break through, stop Thunderbelles

Games Tuesday, February 10, 2026

MOA Arena

4 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs Cignal

6:30 p.m. – Creamline vs Choco Mucho

The five-set grind felt even longer than the 345 days Galeries Tower had waited for a win – but when it finally ended, the Highrisers emerged relieved, resilient and victorious.

The Highrisers squandered a 2-0 set lead, yet showed renewed grit, composure and character in the decider to escape with a hard-earned 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-10 victory over ZUS Coffee in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Montalban on Saturday.

It was a morale-boosting breakthrough for a team that had endured a punishing 17-game losing streak and long carried the tag of the league’s whipping squad.

“Nagtulong-tulong lang ang lahat, at we’re happy that we finally got the elusive win,” said team captain and ace setter Julia Coronel, who orchestrated the offense with poise and precision when it mattered most.

The Highrisers’ struggles had persisted despite a massive offseason overhaul that brought in 14 new players, including veteran Aiza Pontillas. They opened the conference with a stinging shutout loss to the intact Cignal Super Spikers, raising questions about chemistry and cohesion.

But new head coach Clarence Esteban stayed patient – and on Saturday, his faith paid off.

Galeries Tower withstood a furious comeback from ZUS Coffee, leaning on timely plays and renewed confidence to finally halt the skid, even their record at 1-1, and hand ZUS Coffee its second straight defeat.

The win marked Galeries Tower’s first since an upset of Cignal on Feb. 27, 2025, a result that propelled the franchise to its first-ever quarterfinal appearance. What followed was a brutal downturn: back-to-back quarterfinal exits, a winless PVL On Tour campaign, and an 0-8 showing in the Reinforced Conference.

Now, the new-look Highrisers appear to be turning a corner.

“So, sobrang happy ako sa team tonight na kumapit talaga kaming lahat,” said Coronel. “Kahit may mga times na nawawala kami sa sistema, patuloy kaming nire-remind ng coaches na bumalik sa game plan.”

ZUS Coffee refused to fold, rallying from a 0-2 hole behind Chinnie Arroyo, Thea Gagate, Wielyn Estoque and Riza Nogales. In the third set, Galeries Tower erased a 9-16 deficit to briefly take a 23-22 lead, only to surrender three straight points as the Thunderbelles forced a fourth frame.

The Thunderbelles carried the momentum to force the decider, but the Highrisers regrouped behind Jean Asis and Pontillas, who sparked a decisive 5-0 run to break an 8-all count.

Gagate momentarily stopped the surge, but Erika Raagas – inserted in place of Gayle Pascual – delivered a crucial point to push the lead to 14-9. Moments later, Asis sealed the win with a push shot that was upheld after a challenge, ending the two-hour, 19-minute battle.

“Masaya kami kasi kahit short time lang ang pagsasama namin, nagre-react sila sa system,” said Esteban. “Very happy ako sa resulta.”

Rookie Erika Deloria led Galeries Tower with a career-high 18 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Pascual matched her with 18 markers against her former team. Pontillas added 11 points and 17 excellent digs, while Asis and Roselle Baliton chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively.

Coronel finished with eight points to claim the Best Player of the Game honors, her first, while libero Dolly Verzosa anchored the defense with 22 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.

Galeries Tower looks to build on the breakthrough when it faces Farm Fresh on Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, missed head coach Jerry Yee and injured middle blocker AC Miner with assistant coach Onyok Getigan taking over the chores.

Arroyo paced the Thunderbelles with 20 points, while Nogales had 17. Jovelyn Gonzaga posted a triple-double of 13 points, 18 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions. Gagate scored 13, while Estoque added 10 off the bench.

The Thunderbelles try to stop their slide against Akari on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Filoil Centre.