BY ABBY TORALBA
GALERIES Towers may be a newcomer in the PVL but expect the Highrisers to give everything they got when they make their debut in the second All-Filipino Conference.
Coach Lerma Giron believes that despite the team being formed just a month before the season-ending conference, the Highrisers are out to prove they belong.
“This is just a baby team. Iyong baby na ito, lumalaban ito,” Giron, current assistant tactician with University of Santo Tomas and an ex-Adamson University strategist, said last Saturday in the team’s launch at the Chairman’s Lounge in Okada Manila in Parañaque.
“Iyon iyong lagi naming sinasabi sa training na we’re not there just to participate, we’re there to win, we’re there to fight, and bigyan sila ng magandang laban kahit sabihin nating years na iyong binibilang noong ibang teams, iyong iba nasa top pa. Pero iyon nga, lalaban at lalaban ito,” Giron, the second woman coach in the PVL, added.
Assistant deputy Godfrey Okumu’s shared the same sentiments saying: “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.”
“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.”
Skipper Fhen Emnas, together with the returning Dimdim Pacres and Graze Bombita are expected to lead the Highrisers.
Pacres will make her comeback after last playing in 2019 with Marinerang Pilipina, while Bombita is coming off an ACL injury and sat out in last season.
The Highrisers will begin their campaign against the Petro Gazz Angels tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
