Galeries’ Jho Maraguinot in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO

ANTIPOLO — Jho Maraguinot may have had a losing debut with the Galeries Tower HighRisers but she relished a fresh start while also tasked to lead a young core in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Maraguinot, who only trained for two days before playing her first game Galeries, had 10 points and seven excellent receptions in the HighRisers’ 25-27, 22-25, 23-25 loss to PLDT on Tuesday evening at Ynares Center Antipolo.

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Despite the Galeries’ third setback in as many games, Maraguinot said it was still a “happy” debut for her.

READ: PVL: PLDT scores second win with tough sweep of Galeries

Jho Maraguinot relishes her fresh start with Galeries Tower. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UT38ykuKCs

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) November 19, 2024

“I wasn’t really expecting to play that way. I only trained with them for two days. I’m not yet fully gelling with them. I think I did okay and I am really happy to get a chance to play today,” Maraguinot, whose team blew a 21-15 advantage in the third set, told reporters.

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The former Ateneo star, who politely declined to disclose the reason for her transfer from Nxled to Galeries, admitted she’s nervous and excited coming out of her comfort zone and joining youngsters Julia Coronel, France Ronquillo, Ysa Jimenez, Jewel Encarnacion, and Ney Mabilangan as well as fellow veterans Roselle Baliton, Andrea Marzan, and ace libero Alyssa Eroa.

“I’m nervous, but also excited. They’re not really new [to me] I know them. I’ve been to a different team in the past years, actually. I was nervous in training because most of them have been together for a long time and then I suddenly came,” said Maraguinot. “I came out of my comfort zone so everything is scary, but I am also grateful because they accepted me.”

READ: PVL: Jho Maraguinot using coach’s ‘lazy’ first impression of her as motivation

The 28-year-old outside spiker, who blossomed under coach Tai Bundit in the UAAP, is excited to learn from a local coach in Lerma Giron as she spent her past stints with foreign tacticians with former Akari coach Jorge Souza De Brito in the first two conferences of the Chargers and Japanese coach Taka Minowa and Chinese mentor Chen Gang in Nxled.

“I’m excited because this is new to me. I have so much to learn and understand. It’s been a while since I played for a local coach. Every day I have to get the adjustments that I need to do,” she said.

With Galeries putting up a gallant stand in its first three games but ending up with a heartbreaking defeat, Maraguinot vows to provide that consistency and leadership that her young team needs.

“I need more consistency because everyone from this team can contribute. They need someone reliable and consistent. I mean, everyone can do it and it’s possible for everyone. But I have to work on it,” Maraguinot said.