Galeries Tower free Alyssa Eroa during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Galeries Tower libero Alyssa Eroa proved she still belongs in the pros after emerging as one of the top-performing defenders in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Eroa was one of the bright spots in the Highrisers' best PVL campaign, with three wins in 11 games, as she emerged as the Best Digger of the knockout round with 5.41 digs per set.
“I'm very happy because I had the opportunity to play again here in the PVL. Until now, I can’t believe I’ll be able to come back here,” Eroa said in Filipino after topping Galeries’ gallant stand with 25 digs before falling to semi-finalist Chery Tiggo in five sets, 26-24, 23- 25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9, Thursday at Philsports Arena.
READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo secures place in the semi-finals with tough victory over Galeries
“I thank the Galeries management because they trusted me to play for their team, because the last time I played here was with BaliPure (in the bubble tournament). After that, I lost hope because no one was contacting me.”
The San Sebastian College product returned to the pros by staying in shape and even playing in the Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association.
WATCH: Galeries libero Alyssa Eroa after earning a second chance to play pro. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/XsLZDhQwwv
– INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 25, 2024
“I am surprised, with God's blessing, that a PVL team contacted me. I won’t waste this second chance,” said Eroa.
Eroa's addition to the Galeries may not have resulted in a semifinal appearance, but the young team showed a huge improvement from their one-win season in the All-Filipino Conference – the Highrisers' debut tournament.
READ: PVL: Creamline and Galeries Tower find things to build
“I am happy because we achieved our goal of performing better in this conference, especially in our last game, which will serve as a confidence booster heading into the next one,” she said. “We fought until the end.”
Eroa credited his impressive return to the PVL to coaches Lerma Giron and Godfrey Okumu, who took his ground defense to the next level.
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But at the Conference Reinforced Invitational in July, the veteran libero expects better mental toughness from the young Highriser until they reach their goal of fighting for the title.
“We have to learn to deal with frustration during the game. That’s the biggest lesson for me, compensating the team immediately when we make mistakes,” said Eroa.
