MANILA, Philippines – Galeries Tower has had a difficult season in the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, with a devastating 14-game losing streak that began on April 14. 

However, the Highrisers were one set away from ending their losing streak and defeating the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in a thrilling match on December 14 at the Philsports Arena.

The Highrisers had a glimmer of hope, but they were unable to complete the victory in the closing moments. They finished the 2024 All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences with a dismal 4-18 record, having only won one of six games as a result of that collapse. 

One athlete, rookie setter Julia Coronel, is unwavering in her conviction that improvement is the bright side despite their difficulties.

Even if her team has lost, Coronel said her debut season has been a time of great development. She emphasized the team’s observable growth since the start of their adventure and even contrasted it with their performance at the last conference. She pointed out that this insight is a strong incentive for the group to continue working toward progress.

Coronel’s observations highlight the team’s tenacity and fortitude in overcoming the difficulties of competitive volleyball. Even in the face of obstacles, the progress they’ve made in their synchronization and gameplay serves as motivation. It demonstrates the group’s commitment to developing and honing their abilities for long-term success rather than just short-term gains.

Despite its ups and downs, her inaugural season has provided a chance for both individual and team growth. The growth trajectory shows the effect of the players’ collective dedication to advancement in addition to their diligence. The team can use this mentality as a starting point to improve as they compete in the future. The difficulties of the present serve as stepping stones for Coronel and her colleagues as they work toward their objectives for the upcoming seasons.

Every loss is not only a setback but also a learning opportunity for Coronel, whose first season with the Highrisers has been a demanding yet rewarding experience. 

Coronel revealed that she always asks the Lord for blessings, requesting that the team receive what they are just due. Their continued losses, she thought, may be a sign that they still have work to do or things to do better at. She highlighted their tenacity and expressed optimism that they will be able to earn additional wins by the next year.

But her viewpoint goes beyond simple statistics. Coronel concentrates on the procedure, the knowledge gained from every game, and the fortitude needed to go past their present difficulties. She noted a recurrent problem after considering the team’s recent losses, which included a taxing five-set loss to Chery Tiggo on December 14 and another to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on November 14: the absence of a killer instinct at crucial points in the match.

Coronel said that their opponents, especially Chery Tiggo, showed more character and maturity, especially in crucial moments. Being young and relatively new, she pointed out that her team is still trying to do better in this area. She claimed that the Highrisers’ incapacity to end games highlights the necessity for them to improve their finishing abilities.

She estimated that they made thirty mistakes in a recent game, pointing to self-inflicted mistakes as well. She claims that the team is to blame for these errors and that every close defeat is a teaching moment. She emphasized how these failures help them become better people and make wiser choices in the future.

Coronel was upbeat about the team’s future development. She is still optimistic that the challenges they have encountered will eventually result in better performances going forward. She emphasized the significance of enhancing their decision-making, demonstrating her resolve to help the group overcome its present difficulties.

Coronel and her teammates hope to demonstrate the maturity and resiliency they have been developing as Galeries Tower gets ready to play Cignal in their first game of the new year on January 21, 2025. They want to get a little bit closer to winning the games they want to win in every game.