Alyssa Eroa and the Galeries Tower Highrisers' second win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference couldn't have come at a better time after taking down the Cignal HD Spikers in the qualifying round.
Alyssa Eroa had waited a long time for this moment.
After enduring countless heartbreaks and near-wins, the Galeries Tower team captain finally felt the thrill of a breakthrough victory at the most opportune time.
The Highrisers pulled off a huge four-set stunner against the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Thursday, February 27.
“Sobrang tagal kong hinintay ‘yung ganung feeling na manalo,” Eroa admitted to One Sports.
The victory secured Galeries Tower’s first-ever playoff berth since joining the league in 2023 and marked the tenth seed's first win against the third-seeded Cignal.
But for the 28-year-old libero, it meant even more. It was proof that all their struggles had led to something worthwhile.
Despite her role as team captain, Eroa admitted that she often questioned herself as the team faced setbacks.
“Parang sa nangyayari sa amin, hindi ako better or best as a team captain kasi ganun ‘yung nangyayari sa amin,” she shared. “Kung magkukulang man si coach, kailangan kong i-angat ‘yung teammates ko. Kung mawala man sila coach, hindi ako dapat mawala.”
For the former PVL Best Libero in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, what made this victory even more emotional was the timing.
Galeries Tower had played so many games where they needed a win, yet it was this match—their biggest challenge yet—that they finally broke through.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi ang daming games talaga na kailangan namin manalo, pero bakit itong game pa ‘yung pinanalo namin?” Eroa reflected.
“Sobrang emotional lang talaga kasi parang napakita namin sa mga tao, sa mga naniniwala sa amin, sa management, at sa coaches na meron kaming mapatunayan,” she added.
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Despite the tough losses and the five-set heartbreaks, Eroa's belief in her teammates never wavered.
“Hindi kaduda-duda ‘yung teammates ko. Talagang nandun ‘yung tiwala namin sa isa’t isa,” she said. “Lagi lang kaming kinakapos sa dulo, pero sobrang proud ako kasi nailaban namin itong qualifying round.”
Galeries Tower will now head to the quarterfinals where they will await either the Farm Fresh Foxies or the Akari Chargers.