Galeries Tower Highrisers’ rookie Julia Coronel during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Julia Coronel was pleased with her showing in her much-awaited pro debut but her ultimate goal remains to make her mark and help Galeries Tower reach greater heights in the PVL.

Coronel, the third overall pick of Galeries, dished out nine excellent sets and scored eight points but her debut was spoiled by Akari, 30-28, 15-25, 16-25, 23-25, in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference opener on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

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“I know I still have a lot to work on. I’d say this was a good debut for me. I’m just happy that I finally got to play in the pros,” said the rookie setter.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025

“I also want to become more competitive as a player and for our team to be more competitive too. That’s my goal for myself and for the team. That’s why I’m working to reach that level.”

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Galeries setter Julia Coronel on her PVL debut. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/8hJfN7jQs2

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 9, 2024

The La Salle product, who is seeking to make up for lost time from the Reinforced Conference due to her Alas Pilipinas stint, showed her spiking skills aside from her playmaking ability with coach Lerma Giron playing her as opposite spiker in the fourth set with backup setter Renee Mabilangan setting for her. 

“We really practice those adjustments, and I also told Coach that if they need me as a spiker, I’m willing. I know I can contribute in that area too. Of course, I don’t want to be selfish—I’m just preparing myself so that anytime Coach puts me in as an attacker, I’ll be ready,” said Coronel, who scored two kills late in the fourth set.

Relishing the pro competition and the new atmosphere, the Alas Pilipinas setter hopes to create her own legacy in the league just like her mentor and teammate Jia De Guzman and her fellow La Salle products, who have been thriving in the PVL.

READ: PVL: After Alas stint, Julia Coronel raring to show wares for Galeries

“I’m very hopeful that I can create my own legacy. I’m waiting patiently and working hard to make that happen. It’s not just up to me—my team will help, and I’ll do my best to help us reach our goals for this conference,” Coronel said.

“It’s really Coach RDJ’s (Ramil DeJesus) system, the culture, and the discipline he instilled in us. That’s something every LaSallian brings to the pros. He taught us a winning mentality; we’re not just okay with losing. I hope to bring that winning culture and courage to our team, because, as they say, the ball is round. Every team has a weakness, so we just need to focus on our strengths and take advantage of our opponent’s weaknesses to get a win,” she added.

After her first pro stint, which ended with a loss, the 23-year-old rookie remains hungry for improvement, hoping to keep up with the level of play with the veteran pro players. 

READ: PVL: Julia Coronel to bring national team experience to Galeries

“I really felt challenged to keep up. It’s just a shame about this first game because we know we could have done it. We even won a set and kept it close at the end. I guess this showed us what we still need to work on,” said Coronel.

From playing against former La Sallians Michelle Cobb and Fifi Sharma, Coronel will face her mentor Mars Alba and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre. 

“I’m also looking forward to facing Ate Mars. She was one of my mentors back in college. I’m hoping for an exciting game on Thursday. We’ll just give our best,” said Coronel.