NO PUSHOVERS: Highrisers ready to roll

Galeries Tower is out to prove that is not a pushover team despite being a newcomer in the Premier Volleyball League.

Highrisers head coach Lerma Giron and assistant coach Godfrey Okumu are confident that their squad will give other established clubs a run for their money.

"This is just a baby team. But this baby will fight," said Giron during the Galeries Tower's media launch Saturday at the Okada Manila.

The former Adamson University mentor mentioned that the Highrisers did not join the PVL just to participate in the season-ending All-Filipino Conference kicking off on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum but to collect wins.

"We always tell our players during training that we're not there just to participate, we're there to win, we're there to fight, and give the opposing teams even those who have been in the league for years and even those on top a good fight. We will be competitive," added Giron, the second female tactician in the league after F2 Logistics coach Regine Diego.

Okumu, who is set to make his PVL return for the first time since coaching Motolite in 2019, echoed Giron's statement and praised the heart and passion that the team has shown throughout their preparations for the season-ending conference.

"What we expect as a team or as coaches, we believe in progress and then as we continue working on progress, that's (what) I'm looking at the team looking forward," said Okumu.

"So yes, we will have wins. Yes, we might have losses but it's part of the game. So it's not about (just) participating, it's really going out there and giving their all. We're a young team but we're strong and (we have) heart and we're ready to go. Even though in the PVL we expect challenges, nothing comes easy so we just have to go and fight."

The Highrisers are composed of grizzled veterans skippered by seasoned setter Fhen Emnas and returning power hitters Graze Bombita, who has completely recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament tear last year, and Dimdim Pacres.

Galeries Tower is also backstopped by Carly Hernandez, Ysa Jimenez, Norielle Ipac, Rap Aguilar, Kia Melgar, Acy Masangkay, Roma Doromal, Julia Angeles, Juliet Catindig, Anne Esguerra, and Andrea Marzan.

The Highrisers get a baptism of fire against former PVL champion PetroGazz on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.