Highrisers’ Julia Coronel reflects on growth, grit after 0-8 PVL Conference 

Despite ending the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference without a single victory, Galeries Tower Highrisers are turning their season into a learning experience rather than a setback. 

For Julia Coronel, the team’s challenges are a roadmap for growth, highlighting the importance of preparation, cohesion, and individual responsibility.

The Highrisers entered the season under a new direction, appointing Godfrey Okumu as head coach in late August after parting ways with Lerma Giron. 

The transition left players with just over a month to adapt to Okumu’s system before the Reinforced Conference tipped off. Coronel candidly reflects on the adjustment period:

“Siguro, I was kind of personally expecting a lot more from the team, but again, given the short preparation… Siyempre transitioning into the system of Coach Gody, we only had around two months before the tournament started or even less,” she said after the team’s final game at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. 

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.

‘BEST WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH’

Hear from Galeries Tower head coach Godfrey Okumu and Julia Coronel on another winless campaign in the Reinforced Conference. #PVL2025 #PVLReinforced @spinph pic.twitter.com/96JInuc6A1

— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) November 20, 2025

The team also faced roster shifts, including late arrivals of imports and the loss of several key players. Coronel acknowledged these hurdles but refused to let them serve as excuses, viewing them instead as lessons for the future.

“We lost some players along the way and then obviously our import also came along, and she kind of came in a bit late, so probably a week or two before the conference started. So I would say that’s not enough time to prepare,” she added.

Even amid the winless campaign, Coronel took accountability for moments where her decision-making could have better leveraged the team’s strengths.

“Again, that’s not an excuse, pero I feel like we could’ve achieved a lot more sana this conference if we had more time also to prepare and gel with each other,” Coronel said. “Personally, I know there were a lot of decision-making on my end that could have gone a lot better especially with yung options ko sa spikers ko. 

Siguro as a team naman, I think more ano pa rin maturity and that killer instinct yun pa rin talaga yung kulang.”

Despite the scoreboard, the conference showcased emerging talent. Jean Asis, the 2025 second overall pick, impressed at the net, while Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo delivered notable performances. Okumu sees these glimpses as proof that the Highrisers are only beginning to realize their potential.

“This conference, yes, the results were not what we expected or what we wanted to take home. But every challenge, it’s a lesson that we learn as we go along,” said Okumu. “We’ve learned a few things and given a chance, next conference we’ll be able to improve on the lessons that we’ve learned. Yes, some games were so heartbreaking, but some showed us that we are strong, we can still fight.”

For Galeries Tower, the winless conference is less a defeat than a foundation. The team’s focus now turns to building chemistry, refining execution, and channeling the lessons learned into a stronger, more cohesive unit in the next PVL campaign.

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!