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Julia Coronel, a La Salle champion setter and understudy to Jia de Guzman in Alas Pilipinas, arrives to the PVL with a bang and massively boosts the Galeries Tower Highrisers’ drive to create a winning culture
MANILA, Philippines – Jia de Guzman. Gel Cayuna. Kyle Negrito. Kim Fajardo. Rhea Dimaculangan.
The list is long for setters who have made a name for themselves in the Premier Volleyball League, while other standouts like Deanna Wong, Mars Alba, Kamille Cal, and Louie Romero are likewise on the come-up with their own brushes with success.
Julia Coronel, the first-ever playmaker taken in the PVL Rookie Draft as the Galeries Tower Highrisers’ third overall pick, aims to join that conversation very soon, and right out of the gate, the Alas Pilipinas prospect’s talent alone passes the eye test to support that lofty dream.
Although Galeries dropped its first assignment against formidable Akari in the first game of the five-month 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Coronel shone as a bright spot for the up-and-coming Highrisers, dropping 8 big points with intriguing two-way play to offset a middling 9-excellent set total.
Not only was the former La Salle star confident in sharing the wealth to her hitters like Ysa Jimenez and Jewel Encarnacion, she was also aggressive in building up her own attacking momentum when the going got tough for the underdog squad.
“I know I have a lot to work on. I would say this was a good debut, and I’m happy to finally play in the pros, but I want to be more competitive as a player, and for my team to be more competitive too,” she said in Filipino.
“That’s the mood for myself and the team. That’s why I’m also working to get to that level.”
Immediately cast to the fire against Akari’s Cal and fellow ex-La Salle standout Mich Cobb, Coronel is more than eager to face off and learn from other star playmakers, the next being Choco Mucho’s Alba, Wong, and veteran Jem Ferrer on Thursday, November 14.
Extending Ramil de Jesus’ influence in the PVL
The 24-year-old is also raring to prove that legendary coach Ramil de Jesus’ teachings and system always translates well to higher levels of competition, as she becomes the latest in a very long line of ex-Lady Spikers to make a successful transition to club team play.
“Coach RDJ’s system, culture, and discipline, that’s what every La Sallian brings here to the pros, and that’s a really big thing for us,” Coronel continued. “All of us don’t want to lose that easily, and I want to bring that winning culture to our team here in Galeries.”
“I’m very hopeful I get to make my own legacy, but I’m just patiently waiting and, of course, working really hard to make that happen. It’s not gonna be all of my own doing, it’s also with the team. I will help them commit to our goals.”
No, Coronel alone won’t transform the Highrisers to an immediate title contender, but still, few teams can boast of landing a young core piece of her caliber to kickstart their winning drive. – Rappler.com
