By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Galeries Tower Highrisers opened their 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown campaign with a 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24 victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies at the Batangas City Sports Center on Saturday night, July 11.

Negrense Erika Jin Deloria starred for the Highrisers with a triple-double, finishing with 24 points, 13 excellent receptions and 10 excellent digs to power her team to the opening-day win.

Veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas chipped in 13 points, while setter Julia Coronel orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets and also contributed four points.

Babylove Barbon anchored Galeries Tower’s floor defense, tallying 17 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs.

The match also marked the first appearance of 2026 PVL Draft No. 1 overall selection Lams Lamina, who made her debut for Galeries Tower as the backup setter behind team captain Coronel.

The Highrisers looked in control early after dominating the opening set, but Farm Fresh answered by edging a closely fought second frame to level the match.

Galeries Tower quickly regained the upper hand in the third set before surviving a late Foxies rally in the fourth to seal the victory.

The Foxies were paced by Honey Royce Tubino with 12 points, while Victonara Galang added 11 in the losing effort.

Meanwhile, the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles remained unbeaten after cruising past a shorthanded Choco Mucho Flying Titans, 25-14, 25-12, 25-23.

The Thunderbelles improved to 2-0 after following up their opening four-set victory over the Akari Power Chargers with another convincing performance.

Jolina dela Cruz earned Player of the Game honors after contributing six attack points while anchoring the team’s backcourt with four excellent receptions and three excellent digs.

Chinnie Arroyo led the scoring with nine points.

Veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga and rookie Alyanna Ong also chipped in eight points each as the Thunderbelles controlled the match from the outset./ASC, WDJ