Galeries Tower head coach Aying Esteban. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Galeries Tower head coach Aying Esteban was proud of how his cogs responded after a straight-set loss at the hands of Farm Fresh, 14-25, 15-25, 12-25, last time around.
The Highrisers just nailed their biggest franchise win yet, taking down Nxled — the home of the core of the PVL All-Filipino defending champions — in four frames, 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21, on Thursday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
"Siyempre, masayang-masaya ako do'n sa ginalaw nila ngayon, na kahit nanggaling kami doon sa straight sets na talo, pero ang ganda ng reaction nila ngayon doon sa adjustments nila, yung mga depensa, lahat," said Esteban after their shock win.
"Talagang ginusto nila manalo tong araw na 'to."
READ: Upset alert! Galeries stuns Nxled in four sets
Leading the pack was Roselle Baliton, who built an impenetrable wall on the net, tallying seven blocks and going for a 16-point output, tying Erika Deloria's scoring performance.
Esteban shared a reminder that manifested this win: "play your best."
"Kasi actually, hindi naman namin iniisip na si Nxled yung kalaban. Ang prinepare lang namin is yung game namin -- kung paano kami maglalaro ngayon. Then, sinabi ko nga sa kanila na basta play your best, siguradong mananalo tayo," he expressed.
The Galeries tactician aims to keep the team grounded, although he acknowledged that this victory is a morale-boosting one.
"Siyempre, high morale tsaka spirit yung team namin ngayon, pero siyempre hindi parin kami basta-basta magmamamalaki hindi porket nanalo," Esteban said.
"Siguro balik lang ulit kami sa ginagawa namin. Balik lang ulit kami sa kung ano mang pinaghahandaan namin tapos maglalaro lang ulit kami nang maayos."