Jho Maraguinot impressed during her debut for the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Jho Maraguinot officially made her debut for the Galeries Tower Highrises in the team’s close straight-set defeat to the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Tuesday, November 19.
Maraguinot showed her potential with the Highrisers after putting up 10 points despite just being with the team for just two days.
“I’ve been training for two days lang, so I wasn’t really expecting to play that way. Kasi wala eh, two days lang nag-training talaga sa kanila, tapos not fully gelled with them. I think okay naman today, so ayun lang I am really happy na nagbigyan ako ng chance today,” Maraguinot told reporters after the match.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagle standout parted ways with the Nxled Chameleons just before the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference after being with the team since 2023.
Now with Galeries Tower, Maraguinot is excited for a fresh start in her PVL career.
“Excited ako, sobra kasi, bago sa akin,” said Maraguinot. “I have so much to learn, to understand, parang ‘yun nga noon, ngayon na lang ako ulit nagka-local coach, so every day kailangan ko kunin lahat ng adjustments na kailangan ko gawin.”
The 28-year-old opposite spiker admitted some nerves in joining a new team but is grateful to the Highrisers for giving her the opportunity.
“Nung training kinakabahan ako, kasi sila matagal na sila magkakasama, tapos ako bigla lang ako sumulpot, so ako ‘di ko rin alam. Ako, lumabas ako sa comfort zone, everything is scary, but also grateful na in-accept nila ako,” said Maraguinot.
Despite going 0-3 to start the new season, Maraguinot is hoping to turn things around for Galeries Tower, who have shown to be a competitive team in the league.
“Parang lahat naman sa team namin can contribute. Siguro ‘yun lang din na kailangan, someone na reliable, at someone na consistent. I mean, everyone can do it it’s possible for everyone, ako rin kailangan ko trabahuhin,” said Maraguinot.
The Highrisers will have an eight-day break before going up against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on November 28 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.