Deloria gives Highrisers new hope

MANILA, Philippines — Galeries Tower knew a lottery ball alone wouldn’t turn it into a contender.

So while the rest of the Premier Volleyball League chased big names, the league’s youngest franchise doubled down on development – trusting its own to grow into stars.

A year later, that gamble has a name: Erika Deloria.

The 25-year-old from Bacolod City – the first non-UAAP, non-NCAA player ever taken in the PVL Rookie Draft – announced herself in a big way when Galeries Tower stunned veteran side Farm Fresh in four sets in the PVL on Tour leg in Batangas City.

Deloria erupted for a career-high 24 points to deliver the Highrisers one of their biggest wins to date, and a validation for head coach Clarence Esteban.

“I saw their will to win,” Esteban said.

Was it a one-night wonder or the arrival of a new threat? The answer comes today when Galeries Tower goes for back-to-back wins against another heavyweight in Nxled at 4 p.m. at the Polomolok Municipal Gym.

Akari and Choco Mucho cap the double-header at 6:30 p.m.

It’s a crucial stretch for a team that actually won the draft lottery.

Galeries Tower held the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft and had its sights set on super talent Alyssa Solomon, before the Alas Pilipinas standout withdrew. It pivoted and took its setter of the future in Lams Lamina.

As it turns out, the future may have already arrived – and it’s been in the building all along.