MANILA – Galeries Tower Highrisers pulled off a massive 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19 upset against Cignal HD Spikers to reach the quarterfinals round of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Ysabel Jimenez delivered a team-high of 23 points, built on 22 attacks and one block, to be named Player of the Game as the Highrisers secured their first-ever PVL quarterfinals appearance.
“Hindi lang naman effort ng iisang tao lang ito. Tulong-tulong din kami para makamit itong panalong ito, at ipinakita lang namin kung sino talaga ‘yung team namin,” Jimenez said after the game.
“Worth it lahat ng pagod, sobrang dami ng pinagdaanan namin,” added the former University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses standout. “Magwo-work hard lang kami. Hindi kami makukuntento dito (sa quarterfinals lang).”
The Highrisers held a seven-point lead in the latter part of the fourth set, but the HD Spikers attempted to extend the match by narrowing the score to 19-23 courtesy of attacks from Vanessa Gandler.
However, the Highrisers ensured their victory with a down-the-line hit from Andrea Marzan to reach match point, followed by a drop ball from France Ronquillo to conclude the game.
“Nagbunga ang lahat ng dugo at pawis namin, starting January puro kami talo pero proseso talaga, pinag-aralan din namin ‘yung galaw ng Cignal,” Highrisers head coach Lerma Giron said in a post-game interview.
Meanwhile, Creamline Cool Smashers made a quick work of the NxLed Chameleons, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17, to also reach the quarterfinals round. Kyle Negrito was named Player of the Game with 15 excellent sets and four points.
“I think ang naging mindset lang ng team is hindi kami puwedeng magpabaya,” Negrito said after the game. “I am happy na nakuha namin ang panalo and magpe-prepare lang kami para sa next game namin.”
“This is a very important game so kailangan naming trabahuhin para hindi kami mahirapan, hindi lang din kami puwede mag-relax (kahit lower seed ang kalaban) kasi anything can happen, bilog ang bola,” she added./PN
