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Author: Andre Sotelo

  • Alperen Şengün replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot in NBA All-Star World Team

    Alperen Şengün replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot in NBA All-Star World Team

    Alperen Şengün’s All-Star journey took an unexpected turn this weekend, but one that perfectly fits the arc of his rise.

     

    With Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined by a strained abdominal muscle, the NBA turned to the Houston Rockets big man to help steady the World team for this season’s All-Star Game on February 15 in Inglewood, California. For Şengün, it means a second straight All-Star nod — and another historic marker for Turkish basketball.

     

    At just 22, Şengün has quietly evolved into one of the league’s most complete offensive centers. His season averages of 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists reflect more than production; they signal a player who now shapes games rather than simply finishing them. That versatility made him an ideal plug-in for the new U.S. vs. World format, where adaptability matters as much as star power.

     

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who selects injury replacements, tapped Şengün to fill Gilgeous-Alexander’s slot on the World roster — a move that rewards consistency over flash. It also places Şengün among rare company. 

     

    He is now just the second Turkish player to earn multiple All-Star selections, joining Mehmet Okur, who made his lone appearance in 2007.

     

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    This year’s All-Star showcase carries a different texture. Instead of a single exhibition, three teams — two representing the United States and one representing the World — will compete in a round-robin tournament. The top two will advance to the final, with each game lasting 12 minutes, mirroring the intensity of a single NBA quarter. It’s a format designed for urgency, and one that could highlight Şengün’s ability to make quick reads and impact possessions in bursts.

     

    Silver had already adjusted the roster last week by adding Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard to ensure the U.S. side met the minimum requirement of 16 players for the revamped setup. With Şengün now in the mix, the World team gains not just another scorer, but a hub — a player comfortable initiating offense, finding cutters, and carrying responsibility.

     

    For Şengün, the call-up is less about filling in and more about belonging. What began as a replacement nod now feels like confirmation: his ascent is no longer theoretical. He’s an All-Star again, not because of circumstance, but because his game demands the stage.

     

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  • Creamline and Choco Mucho headline exciting PVL Tuesday double-header 

    Creamline and Choco Mucho headline exciting PVL Tuesday double-header 

    What looks predictable on paper rarely stays that way once the ball is in the air.

     

    For years, the Creamline–Choco Mucho rivalry in the Premier Volleyball League has leaned heavily toward one direction. Championships, head-to-heads, and defining moments have mostly belonged to the Cool Smashers, leaving the Flying Titans chasing breakthroughs rather than banners.

     

    And yet, when these sister teams meet, logic tends to loosen its grip.

     

    Inside the Mall of Asia Arena, numbers blur and narratives shift. Creamline yellow and Choco Mucho green split the stands, chants clash mid-rally, and momentum feels as loud as it is fragile. Few PVL matchups generate the same emotional density — the sense that something can tilt at any moment, regardless of history.

     

    That feeling is even sharper heading into Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. showdown.

     

    Both teams enter the All-Filipino Conference still searching for footing. In a tournament defined by parity, early losses don’t just hurt the standings — they plant doubt. And for two teams used to carrying expectations, doubt can be just as dangerous as any opponent.

     

    Creamline, in particular, is navigating unfamiliar pressure. A year removed from a historic Grand Slam, the Cool Smashers ended 2025 without a title and now face the rare possibility of back-to-back losses. It’s a scenario that speaks less about decline and more about how unforgiving the league has become.

     

    Help, however, has arrived. The return of Jia De Guzman and Jema Galanza restores rhythm and leadership. Tots Carlos and Bea De Leon are finally healthy, while libero Jen Nierva anchors a defense determined to steady a team eager to reassert who it is.

     

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    Across the net, Choco Mucho senses an opening.

     

    The Flying Titans are no longer built around a single offensive pillar. The arrival of Eya Laure has reshaped their attack, easing the burden on Sisi Rondina and giving the team new dimensions. With Dindin Manabat and Lorraine Pecaña finding consistency early, and Rondina back to full strength, belief — not just preparation — fuels Choco Mucho this time.

     

    History still leans Creamline’s way. But belief, urgency, and timing belong to no one.

    That unresolved tension is what gives this rivalry its pulse — and what makes this encounter feel like more than another chapter.

     

    While that match draws the spotlight, the earlier 4 p.m. duel between Cignal and Farm Fresh carries consequences that may ripple just as far.

     

    Cignal’s resurgence has been one of the early stories of the conference. Under coach Shaq delos Santos, the Super Spikers are embracing a system inspired by Japanese volleyball — faster tempo, sharper spacing, and an emphasis on movement over muscle. Fresh from a training camp in Japan, Cignal isn’t just winning games; it’s redefining how it wants to win them.

     

    A third straight victory would give them solo possession of first place — but it won’t come easy.

    Farm Fresh enters as a dangerous disruptor. The Foxies are still stinging from a collapse against Nxled, yet their roster brims with offensive potential. Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina remain the foundation, now joined by reinforcements Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, and Ara Galang — players hungry to prove they can shape outcomes, not just fill rotations.

     

    Tubino’s strong debut and Paat’s steady presence hint at upside, while Galang’s quiet start feels more transitional than concerning. If Farm Fresh sharpens its late-game execution, it has the tools to derail Cignal’s momentum and scramble the early conference hierarchy.

     

    In a league where every win weighs heavier than the last, Tuesday isn’t just about rivalries or rebounds.

     

    It’s about identity — and who finds theirs first.

     

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  • Tereza Valentova’s power test ends Alex Eala’s Doha campaign early

    Tereza Valentova’s power test ends Alex Eala’s Doha campaign early

    Alex Eala walked onto Centre Court in Doha backed by a packed crowd of Filipino supporters, but when the dust settled, it was Tereza Valentova’s raw power and composure that defined the day.

     

    The 20-year-old Filipina once again found herself up against the Czech teenager who has quietly become one of the tour’s most dangerous young hitters. Valentova, just 18 and ranked No. 48, leaned on her strength and shot-making to secure a 7-6(6), 6-1 victory in the opening round of the 2026 Qatar TotalEnergies Open.

     

    While the scoreline suggests a straightforward result, the match told a more layered story—one that unfolded over a tense, momentum-heavy first set.

     

    Eala absorbed an early punch, dropping the opening two games, before flipping the script with four straight holds of her own. For a stretch, she dictated rallies with patience and variety, forcing Valentova into longer exchanges and drawing errors.

     

    But Valentova’s response reflected the maturity of a player already accustomed to big stages. She steadied herself, erased the deficit, and stayed locked in through a tight set that stretched past the one-hour mark.

     

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    In the tiebreak, the Czech teen seized control at the critical moment. After Eala edged ahead 3-2, Valentova rattled off four consecutive points to build a 6-3 cushion. Though Eala saved three set points, the sustained pressure eventually paid off, with Valentova closing the set after one hour and two minutes.

     

    That marathon opener proved to be the turning point.

     

    Carrying the confidence forward, Valentova raised her level in the second set, dictating play with sharp, heavy groundstrokes that left little room for Eala to counter. The set was over in just 31 minutes, ending Eala’s first appearance in a WTA 1000 event this season.

     

    The loss mirrored their previous meeting at the Japan Women’s Open last October, where Valentova also emerged victorious in straight sets—underscoring the gap that still exists when power meets developing versatility.

     

    Valentova, the second-youngest player inside the WTA top 50 behind Iva Jovic, will move on to face world No. 19 Karolina Muchova in the Round of 32. For Eala, the Doha setback serves less as a regression and more as a measuring stick—another reminder of the physical and tactical leap required at the sport’s highest tier.

     

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  • Newly ranked Top-40 Alex Eala meets tough challenge in Qatar Open Round of 64 

    Newly ranked Top-40 Alex Eala meets tough challenge in Qatar Open Round of 64 

    Alex Eala’s rise continues to gain momentum—and timing couldn’t be more fitting.

     

    Just hours before stepping onto the court at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, the 20-year-old Filipina officially cracked the top 40 of the Women’s Tennis Association rankings, climbing to a career-high world No. 40. It’s a milestone that confirms her steady ascent, but Doha wasted no time reminding her that progress at this level is never linear.

     

    What initially looked like a routine opening-round assignment has turned into an early reality check. Instead of an unseeded qualifier, Eala will open her first WTA 1000 campaign of the year against the most dangerous name to emerge from qualifying—18-year-old Czech standout Tereza Valentova—at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.

     

    The pairing immediately raises the stakes. Valentova isn’t just another qualifier; she’s a rising force whose results already echo beyond her age. 

     

    A third-round run at the Australian Open, capped by a loss only to eventual champion Elena Rybakina, announced her arrival, while her status as the top seed in the qualifying draw underscores the threat she poses.

     

    Eala, however, isn’t arriving untested. Her recent run at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open marked a turning point, with a quarterfinal appearance in singles and a semifinal finish in doubles—both career-best results at the WTA 500 level. 

     

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    More importantly, those performances hinted at a growing comfort in longer, more demanding tournaments, the kind that define the top tier of the women’s tour.

     

    There’s also a quiet narrative thread connecting the two players. Valentova’s 2026 season has already intersected with several opponents familiar to Eala. The Czech teen’s win over former French Open champion Jeļena Ostapenko in Adelaide and her subsequent loss to Madison Keys mirrored names from Eala’s own breakthrough run at last year’s Miami Open, where she toppled both Grand Slam champions.

     

    Valentova’s straight-sets victory over Australia’s Maya Joint at the Australian Open adds another layer. Joint was the same player who edged Eala in the WTA 250 Eastbourne final last year, making the Doha clash feel less like a random draw and more like a convergence of unfinished business.

     

    And the challenge doesn’t ease beyond round one. Awaiting the winner is either world No. 19 Karolina Muchova or No. 35 Jaqueline Cristian, ensuring that every match in Doha demands full commitment.

     

    For Eala, the top-40 breakthrough is worth celebrating—but it’s not the destination. The real test now is whether she can back that number up on court. A win over Valentova wouldn’t just move her deeper into the draw; it would signal that her climb is built to last, even under the harsh lights of a WTA 1000 stage.

     

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  • Converge dominates PBA All-Star selections with five players 

    Converge dominates PBA All-Star selections with five players 

    Converge’s rapid transformation from expansion squad to legitimate league presence will be on full display at the PBA All-Star Game on March 8 in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

     

    The FiberXers headline the Season 50 All-Star weekend after landing a league-high five players in the Solid North vs. Solid South showcase — a clear sign of how far the franchise has come in a short span.

     

    Anchoring Converge’s strong showing are the so-called “Twin Towers” of Justin Arana and Justin Baltazar, joined by Alec Stockton, newly-acquired veteran Calvin Abueva, and rookie Juan Gomez De Liano. No other team will send more representatives to the main event.

     

    Abueva and Gomez De Liano earned starting roles for the Solid North after topping the fan vote under head coach Leo Austria, while Arana, Baltazar, and Stockton secured their spots through the coaches’ selections. 

     

    Arana and Baltazar will line up alongside Abueva and Gomez De Liano for the North, while Stockton will suit up for the Solid South coached by Chot Reyes. 

     

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    Abueva’s inclusion carries a unique twist. The 38-year-old was voted in by fans while still with Titan Ultra before being traded to Converge just last week. The FiberXers acquired him in exchange for Rey Suerte, King Caralipio, and rookie Mark Omega, adding another layer of intrigue to his All-Star appearance in new colors.

     

    Trailing Converge in All-Star representation are Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, with four players apiece. The Gin Kings will be represented by Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, and RJ Abarrientos, while San Miguel’s contingent features June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Don Trollano, and Jericho Cruz.

     

    Aguilar, Holt, and Perez were voted as starters for the Solid North, while Thompson, Abarrientos, and Fajardo will open for the Solid South.

     

    Rain or Shine and TNT each placed three players in the event. Adrian Nocum, Caelan Tiongson, and Leonard Santillan made it for the Elasto Painters, while Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Rey Nambatac carried TNT’s banner. Meralco and NLEX will have two All-Stars each, while Magnolia rounds out the field with Zavier Lucero.

     

    Beyond the individual honors, Converge’s All-Star dominance signals a franchise no longer content with simply competing. With five players on the league’s biggest midseason stage, the FiberXers are announcing — loudly — that they now belong among the PBA’s elite.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas faces Kai Sotto doubts ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window 

    Gilas Pilipinas faces Kai Sotto doubts ahead of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window 

    Gilas Pilipinas will kick off preparations for the upcoming FIBA window on February 16, but the national team faces a major challenge: Kai Sotto is “unlikely” to join the 10-day camp, his camp confirmed via text message. The sessions are set to take place in Pasig and at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna.

     

    The absence of the 7-foot-3 center leaves a huge gap for Gilas. While the team still has plenty of talent, losing their tallest and most dominant player significantly weakens their frontcourt. As comparisons go, Gilas without Kai is like the Lakers without Luka or San Miguel Beer without June Mar Fajardo.

     

    Sotto has always been committed to the national team, but his circumstances have changed. After tearing his ACL in January 2025, he’s slowly working his way back with the Koshigaya Alphas in Japan, averaging 10 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over four games

    .

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    A minor ankle sprain, however, forced his camp to prioritize recovery over attending Gilas training.

    While he hasn’t ruled out playing in games against New Zealand (Feb. 26) and Australia (March 1), skipping camp is a big setback. 

     

    His team believes staying in Japan for focused rehabilitation gives him the best chance to return stronger.

     

    Kai Sotto has long been a symbol of hope for Philippine basketball. This pause may be disappointing, but protecting his health ensures the country will continue to have its towering presence for future FIBA windows and beyond.

     

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  • Justin Brownlee back with Ginebra for PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup

    Justin Brownlee back with Ginebra for PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup

    Justin Brownlee is returning as an import for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the upcoming PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    According to a report on the PBA website, the 37-year-old veteran will once again suit up for the Gin Kings, one decade since he first joined the storied franchise.  

     

    Brownlee joined Barangay Ginebra to replace the injured Paul Harris during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in July 2016.

     

    Since then, Brownlee has won six PBA championships and three Best Import of the Conference awards, twice in the Commissioner’s Cup.  

     

    PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial earlier said the mid-season conference will have no height limit for imports.  

     

    Brownlee and Ginebra look to improve on their performance from the last Commissioner’s Cup, where they lost to eventual champions, the TNT Tropang 5G in the best-of-seven finals series.

     

    Other PBA teams have also unveiled their reinforcements, mostly new faces.

     

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    According to the PBA website, the NLEX Road Warriors have tapped Cady Lalanne of Haiti while the Phoenix Fuelmasters have signed James Dickey.  

     

    The 6-foot-10 Lalanne was a second round pick by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015 NBA Draft, eventually playing for the Austin Spurs in the G League.

     

    Lalanne has played in various countries like Puerto Rico, China, Italy, Turkey, Spain, South Korea, Kuwait and most recently Taiwan with the Kaohsiung Aquas. 

     

    “Cady adds much-needed size in our frontcourt in the upcoming PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup! 💪 Welcome to the PBA and the NLEX family, Cady!,” the Road Warriors wrote on their social media post welcoming Lalanne.

     

    Dickey, who is the first import of Phoenix under new head coach Charles Tiu, went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft.

     

    The 6-foot-10 player likewise has overseas experience after competing in Hungary, Germany, Israel, France, Ukraine and Indonesia.  

     

    Dickey last played for the Pelita Jaya Basketball Club in the Indonesian Basketball League, where he was teammates with Brownlee in 2014.  

     

    The PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup is scheduled to tip off on March 11. 

     

     

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  • This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PVL All-Filipino, UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball  & Alex Eala’s WTA 1000 Qatar Open Campaign (Feb 9-15) 

    This Week’s Sports Fixtures: NBA, PVL All-Filipino, UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball  & Alex Eala’s WTA 1000 Qatar Open Campaign (Feb 9-15) 

    Sports fans, get ready for a jam-packed week of live action across volleyball, basketball, and tennis! From thrilling PVL clashes at MOA Arena and FilOil to high-stakes UAAP matchups, international basketball showdowns in the EASL, and top-level tennis featuring Alex Eala in Qatar, there’s plenty to catch.

     

    Here’s your complete schedule for the week:

     

    Volleyball – PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Tuesday, February 10, 2026 – MOA Arena

    • 4:00 PM – Farm Fresh vs. Cignal [LIVE]

       

    • 6:30 PM – Creamline vs. Choco Mucho [LIVE]
       [Buy Creamline Shirts] | [Buy Choco Mucho Shirts]

       

    Thursday, February 12, 2026 – FilOil

    • 4:00 PM – PLDT vs. Capital1 [LIVE]

       

    • 6:30 PM – ZUS vs. Akari [LIVE]

       

    Saturday, February 14, 2026

    • 4:00 PM – Galeries Tower vs. Farm Fresh [LIVE]

       

    • 6:30 PM – Cignal vs. Nxled [LIVE]

       

    UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball – First Round

    Saturday, February 14, 2026 – MOA Arena

    • 1:00 PM – UP vs. UE

       

    • 3:00 PM – DLSU vs. FEU

       

    Sunday, February 15, 2026 – MOA Arena

    • 1:00 PM – Adamson vs. Ateneo

       

    • 3:00 PM – NU vs. UST

       

    EASL Basketball

    Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – Smart Araneta Coliseum

    • Meralco Bolts vs. Ryukyu Golden Kings

       

    Tennis – WTA 1000 Qatar Open

    Wednesday, February 11, 2026 – 8:00 PM PHT

    • Alex Eala vs. Tereza Valentova

       

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    NBA Fixtures (Philippine Time, PHT)

    Tuesday, February 10, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Pistons vs. Hornets

       

    • 8:30 AM – Bulls vs. Nets

       

    • 8:30 AM – Jazz vs. Heat

       

    • 8:30 AM – Bucks vs. Magic

       

    • 9:00 AM – Hawks vs. Timberwolves

       

    • 9:00 AM – Kings vs. Pelicans

       

    • 10:00 AM – Cavaliers vs. Nuggets

       

    • 11:00 AM – Grizzlies vs. Warriors

       

    • 11:00 AM – Thunder vs. Lakers

       

    • 11:00 AM – 76ers vs. Trail Blazers

       

    Wednesday, February 11, 2026

    • 8:30 AM – Pacers vs. Knicks

       

    • 9:00 AM – Clippers vs. Rockets

       

    • 10:00 AM – Mavericks vs. Suns

       

    • 11:30 AM – Spurs vs. Lakers

       

    Thursday, February 12, 2026

    • 8:00 AM – Hawks vs. Hornets

       

    • 8:00 AM – Wizards vs. Cavaliers

       

    • 8:30 AM – Bucks vs. Magic

       

    • 8:30 AM – Bulls vs. Celtics

       

    • 8:30 AM – Pacers vs. Nets

       

    • 8:30 AM – Knicks vs. 76ers

       

    • 9:00 AM – Pistons vs. Raptors

       

    • 9:00 AM – Clippers vs. Rockets

       

    • 9:00 AM – Trail Blazers vs. Timberwolves

       

    • 10:00 AM – Heat vs. Pelicans

       

    • 10:00 AM – Thunder vs. Suns

       

    • 10:00 AM – Kings vs. Jazz

       

    • 11:00 AM – Grizzlies vs. Nuggets

       

    • 11:00 AM – Spurs vs. Warriors

       

    Friday, February 13, 2026

    • 8:30 AM – Bucks vs. Thunder

       

    • 11:00 AM – Trail Blazers vs. Jazz

       

    • 11:00 AM – Mavericks vs. Lakers

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  • Meralco goes all in for EASL playoff spot

    Meralco goes all in for EASL playoff spot

    For Meralco, the math is simple but unforgiving: win big or go home.

     

    With a historic East Asia Super League playoff berth hanging in the balance, the Bolts are emptying the playbook and refreshing the roster for a do-or-die clash against the Ryukyu Golden Kings on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum—the final day of the EASL Home and Away Season 3 group stage.

     

    At the center of Meralco’s gamble is rookie Jason Brickman. The Bolts are turning to their Season 50 first-round pick in the biggest game of their EASL campaign, trusting the newcomer to steady the ship in a matchup where there is no margin for error. Brickman joins import Cady Lalanne, brought in to replace the injured Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, as part of a short-term reinforcement move designed solely for this playoff push.

     

    Brickman and Lalanne are on loan from NLEX, and they’ll be thrown straight into a veteran-heavy lineup that includes Justin Brownlee, Ismael Romero, Sina Vahedi, CJ Cansino, Chris Banchero, Cliff Hodge, Aaron Black, Brandon Bates, Bong Quinto, and Raymond Almazan. The Bolts are also hoping to get a timely lift from Chris Newsome, who is working his way back from an MCL injury that sidelined him late in the Philippine Cup semifinals.

     

    “He will try on Monday to practice for the first time with contacts,” said Luigi Trillo, who has handed coaching duties to Nenad Vucinic for Meralco’s EASL run.

     

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    Momentum, at least, is on Meralco’s side. The Bolts enter the finale riding a three-game winning streak, highlighted by a dramatic 93-91 escape against the Macau Black Bears last December in Ilagan. That surge lifted them to a 3-2 record, good for third place in Group B behind Ryukyu (4-1) and Taoyuan (4-2).

     

    But the Golden Kings remain a towering obstacle. Ryukyu has won four straight games and already owns an 81-72 victory over Meralco from their earlier meeting in Okinawa.

     

    For the Bolts, simply winning won’t be enough. They need to beat Ryukyu by at least six points to stay alive. A margin of five or fewer sends them packing. A blowout of 20 points or more, however, would flip the script entirely—vaulting Meralco to the top seed in Group B and forcing Ryukyu and Taoyuan into a quotient battle for the remaining quarterfinal spot.

     

    Anything less, including a loss, would mark another painful near-miss in Meralco’s long pursuit of an EASL breakthrough. On Wednesday night, the Bolts won’t just be playing an opponent—they’ll be playing the numbers, the moment, and the weight of history.

     

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  • Julia Coronel ends a 345-day wait with Galeries Tower breakthrough

    Julia Coronel ends a 345-day wait with Galeries Tower breakthrough

    For 345 days, Julia Coronel carried more than just the ball for Galeries Tower—she carried the weight of a franchise stuck in neutral.

     

    Loss after loss blurred into routine, even as the Highrisers tore everything down in the offseason. A new coaching staff. A near-total roster overhaul. Fresh promises that required patience. Through it all, Coronel stayed, steady but human, quietly wrestling with doubt as the losses piled up.

     

    “Gusto ko lang i-share na last night, medyo nagkaroon ako ng mga iilan na doubts,” Coronel admitted.

     

    “Ang tagal ko na rin sa team na ‘to at mataas na rin ‘yung ine-expect ko sa team namin ngayon na kaya talaga dapat naming makipagsabayan pero lagi lang kaming kinakapos in the past.”

     

    On Saturday night, nearly a year after their last victory, those doubts finally loosened their grip.

     

    Coronel piloted Galeries Tower to a long-awaited five-set win over ZUS Coffee, snapping a 17-game skid and ending a 345-day drought that had defined both her early pro career and the franchise’s growing pains. It wasn’t just a win—it was proof that staying the course hadn’t been pointless.

     

    The Alas Pilipinas playmaker delivered with composure and command, finishing with 16 excellent sets and eight points while steering a balanced attack that saw four Highrisers score in double figures. When the match tightened, it was Coronel’s poise that kept Galeries Tower from slipping back into familiar territory.

     

    Drafted third overall two years ago, the victory marked just the third win of Coronel’s young PVL career—and only the third five-set triumph in Galeries Tower’s three-year history, following narrow escapes against Gerflor in 2023 and Capital1 in 2024. Small milestones on paper, but massive ones for a team desperate for something to build on.

     

     

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    For Coronel, the moment went far beyond the scoreboard.

     

    “For the longest time, that’s the kind of culture that we’ve been wanting to build, that winning culture. And slowly, we’re getting there,” she said.

     

    “Alam kong may purpose lahat ‘tong pinagdadaanan talaga namin. I just use each and every day as motivation to keep showing up.”

     

    The breakthrough didn’t come without resistance. ZUS Coffee erased a 0–2 deficit behind Chinnie Arroyo, Thea Gagate, Wielyn Estoque, and Riza Nogales, pushing the match to its limits. In the third set, Galeries Tower stormed back from a 9–16 hole to briefly take a 23–22 lead, only to surrender three straight points and allow the Thunderbelles to extend the fight.

     

    This time, though, Galeries Tower didn’t fold.

     

    “Nagtulong-tulong lang ang lahat, at we’re happy that we finally got the elusive win,” Coronel said.

     

    “So, sobrang happy ako sa team tonight na kumapit talaga kaming lahat.”

     

    Even when execution wavered, Coronel pointed to the steady reminders from the bench that kept the group grounded.

     

    “Kahit may mga times na nawawala kami sa sistema, patuloy kaming nire-remind ng coaches na bumalik sa game plan,” she added.

     

    After 345 days of waiting, losing, and questioning, Coronel finally has something concrete to show for the faith she never fully abandoned. The drought is over. The rebuild has a heartbeat. And for Galeries Tower, the win wasn’t just overdue—it was necessary.

     

     

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