The Galeries Tower Highrisers dedicated their match to the late Jeric Importante by wearing white ribbons. But they fell to the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Galeries Tower players were seen wearing white ribbons tied with their hair during their match against ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
It was later revealed that the Highrisers were honoring their utility staff member, Jeric Importante, who passed away recently.
“After nito, we're gonna go to his wake. That's the reason why we're wearing the white ribbons for kuya Jeric. Remembrance and we offer that game for him,” rookie Jewel Encarnacion told One Sports
The loss of Importante, however, seemingly took a toll on the team as they bowed to the Thunderbelles in straight sets, 22-25, 16-25, 19-25, on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“Halos lahat po or wala pong may gustong magsalita. Kasi parang, may team member na nga po kaming nawala, parang dinamdam namin talaga ‘yung pagkawala niya na dapat ilaban namin ‘yung game [para sa kanya], pero mas lalo kaming nagluksa,” libero Alyssa Eroa told reporters after the match.
According to Eroa, Importante had been a part of Galeries Tower since their arrival in the PVL last year.
“Utility po talaga namin siya tapos parang nung first conference ko sa Galeries, nandun talaga siya,” said Eroa. “Sa lahat po talaga ng bagay or sa araw araw po naming may ensayo, siya po talaga ‘yung kasama namin.”
“Kahit wala na ‘yung coaches, siya ‘yung naiiwan sa team kasi nagaayos pa. Siya ‘yung nagaasikaso ng food namin, tapos ng mga gamit,” she added.
Andrea Marzan wears the white ribbon on her arm during Galeries Tower’s match vs ZUS Coffee. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
The Highrisers currently sit with a 0-4 record to start the new conference.
And while things will only get tougher from here on out, Eroa is hoping that her squad can finally secure that elusive first win.
“Parang pahirap na po nang pahirap ‘yung sa unang panalo eh. Parang lahat ng teams nagiimprove tapos nakukuha nila ‘yung tempo at gelling nila, siguro gagawin din namin ‘yung best namin na maayos po namin at para talaga makapanalo na kami ngayong conference,” said Eroa.
Galeries Tower will head to Cebu on December 7 where they will seek their first win against Capital1.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)