PVL: Galeries Tower opens On Tour bid with win over Farm Fresh

Galeries Tower High Risers celebrate a point during a game vs Farm Fresh Foxies in the 2026 PVL On Tour. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Galeries Tower opened its PVL On Tour campaign with a rare victory, outlasting Farm Fresh, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, on Saturday at Batangas City Sports Coliseum.

The Highrisers used strong starts in the first and third sets before holding their ground in a tightly contested fourth to secure the one-hour, 57-minute win.

“I told my players that this is where our skills will be tested before the season starts,” coach Clarence Esteban said.

“They had a good showing because they wanted to win today. Farm Fresh is not an easy team to beat, so we’re grateful the players worked hard to get the win.”

Roselle Baliton sealed the victory with a quick attack off rookie setter Lams Lamina’s one-handed set following a long rally. Farm Fresh challenged for a possible net touch, but a video review upheld the call.

The victory put Galeries Tower alongside opening-day winners Creamline and ZUS Coffee atop the early standings.

The Highrisers raced to a 7-0 lead in the opening set and again took control early in the third, building a 13-7 advantage to regain the match lead after dropping the second set.

Farm Fresh capitalized on Galeries Tower’s errors to steal the second frame. The Highrisers committed 13 errors, including six straight service miscues from an 8-all deadlock, despite finishing with a 15-12 edge in attacks.

The fourth set went down to the wire.

Aiza Pontillas gave Galeries Tower a 21-19 lead with back-to-back attacks before Royse Tubino and Mylene Paat-Rezanova helped Farm Fresh draw level.

Jean Asis and Erika Deloria restored the Highrisers’ advantage before Lycha Ebon pushed them to match point. Ces Molina and Riri Meneses extended the match, but Ebon answered with another clutch attack before Lamina found Baliton for the winning point.

Deloria led Galeries Tower with 24 points on 22 attacks while adding 10 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.

Pontillas scored 13 points, Asis and Baliton added nine each, while Ebon and Jade Gentapa finished with seven apiece as the Highrisers held a 65-51 advantage in attacks and a 9-4 edge in blocks.

Tubino led Farm Fresh with 12 points, Ara Galang added 11, while Paat-Rezanova chipped in eight. Last season’s MVP Trisha Tubu was limited to six points in three sets.