Galeries Towers bets on experience and youth in bold All-Filipino Conference makeover

Galeries Towers is making it clear that the lessons from a difficult Reinforced Conference have not gone unnoticed.

With the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference fast approaching, the HighRisers continued their aggressive roster build on Monday by announcing the signing of veteran opposite spiker Aiza Maizo-Pontillas—one of the most accomplished players of her generation.

At 37, Maizo-Pontillas arrives not simply as an offensive option, but as a stabilizing presence for a team leaning into a new direction. 

Her championship pedigree, forged during her storied run with University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP and reinforced by years of top-level competition, is expected to anchor a largely youthful Galeries lineup both on and off the court.

She won’t be carrying the rebuild alone.

Galeries has also brought in former Capital1 hitter Shola Alvarez and ex-ZUS Coffee standout Shar Ancheta, creating a mix of proven reliability and emerging talent. Ancheta, in particular, represents the future—the league’s first-ever Rookie of the Conference last year, she flashed immediate impact in her debut PVL season and remains one of the most intriguing young players in the league.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

The legend of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas continues!

Pontillas joins Galeries Tower. #PVL2026 | : Galeries Tower via @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/T6Psubxrxo

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 12, 2026

Alvarez, meanwhile, adds familiarity and continuity, returning to Galeries after previously suiting up for the HighRisers in 2024. Her re-entry provides the team with a player who already understands the system and culture the franchise is trying to rebuild.

The moves come after a sweeping reset triggered by a winless Reinforced Conference campaign. Galeries parted ways with head coach Godfrey Okumu and his entire staff, while also releasing a long list of players as management opted for a clean slate rather than incremental change. 

From the overhaul, only Alas Pilipinas standout Julia Coronel, FEU standout and PVL 2025 second overall pick Jean Asis, Roselle Baliton, and Winnie Bedaña.

The roster shake-up didn’t stop there. Outside spikers Erika Raagas, Cams Victoria, Lycha Ebon, and Erika Deloria have also joined the fold, with Raagas widely viewed as a potential primary scoring option once the All-Filipino Conference begins.

Guiding this revamped group is new head coach Aying Esteban, who previously led Chery Tiggo in 2022 and brings experience navigating teams through transition periods.

With the All-Filipino Conference set to open on January 31, Galeries Towers is no longer just patching holes—it is redefining its identity. 

By blending championship-tested veterans like Maizo-Pontillas with hungry young talents, the HighRisers are signaling that their rebuild is not about patience alone, but about competing with purpose.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!