Highrisers Begin New Era with First Pick Setter
Galeries Tower is turning the page at setter after captain Julia Coronel ended her two-season run with the Highrisers. Her departure creates a larger opportunity for first overall draft pick Lams Lamina within the franchise’s developing offensive system.
Julia Coronel Ends Two-Year Galeries Run
Coronel’s departure closes a significant chapter for Galeries after she became one of the franchise’s most recognizable young leaders. Tiebreaker Times’ Jonash Dannug chronicled her rise from third overall selection in 2024 to primary setter and eventual team captain.
The former La Salle standout remained central to Galeries despite repeated personnel changes that made long-term lineup continuity difficult to establish. Her stability carried particular value at setter, where familiarity with attackers directly influences timing, distribution, communication, and offensive rhythm.
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Coronel Became Constant Through Roster Changes
Frequent lineup changes required Coronel to continually adjust her distribution according to different attacking speeds, tendencies, and preferred hitting locations. That responsibility made her departure significant beyond statistics because Galeries also loses an established organizer familiar with its evolving personnel.
Alas Pilipinas Experience Expanded Coronel’s Role
Coronel also developed beyond club competition while becoming a regular member of the Alas Pilipinas national-team pool during her Galeries stint. Working within another system exposed the 5-foot-9 setter to different attackers, offensive combinations, and higher-level international competition.
Those experiences added another dimension to Coronel’s development while she continued carrying organizational responsibilities for a rebuilding professional club. Galeries must now replace both its primary playmaker and captain as another transition begins before the next PVL campaign.
Setter Departure Leaves Leadership Void
Setters influence nearly every organized attack through tempo, distribution, blocker recognition, and communication during both structured and broken possessions. Losing an established captain adds another challenge because Galeries must redistribute leadership responsibilities while developing its next offensive direction.
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Coronel Exit Expands Lams Lamina’s Opportunity
Galeries selected Lamina first overall in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, initially adding another high-level setter alongside Coronel and Maji Mangulabnan. The Highrisers originally entered the transition with multiple playmakers, creating internal competition rather than immediately handing one setter complete control.
Coronel’s departure substantially changes that equation by giving Lamina a clearer pathway toward meaningful responsibility during her first professional campaign. Mangulabnan remains another setter option, giving Galeries flexibility while Lamina adjusts to the demands of professional volleyball.
Galeries Originally Planned Setter Competition
Lamina entered Galeries expecting healthy competition with established setters while learning how her collegiate strengths translated into the professional environment. Coronel’s exit accelerates that process, although Lamina must still earn responsibilities while building connections throughout the Highrisers’ evolving lineup.
Lamina Brings Championship Pedigree From NU
Lamina arrives with an accomplished National University résumé after helping the Lady Bulldogs capture three UAAP women’s volleyball championships. The top draft selection also collected multiple Best Setter honors, establishing herself among Philippine collegiate volleyball’s most accomplished playmakers.
Professional volleyball presents different challenges because experienced blockers and defenders can punish predictable distribution more aggressively than collegiate opponents. Lamina must establish timing with unfamiliar attackers while learning how opposing PVL teams defend specific rotations and offensive combinations.
Professional Transition Demands New Connections
Championship experience provides Lamina with a strong foundation, but setter-hitter chemistry still requires repetition within Galeries’ developing offensive structure. Stable passing and clearly defined attacking responsibilities can help her distribute confidently while adjusting to faster professional blocking and defensive systems.
Galeries Can Build New Offense Around Lamina
Changing primary setters can reshape offensive tempo because every playmaker develops different preferences for speed, location, and attacker involvement. Galeries does not need Lamina to reproduce Coronel’s style if its system instead emphasizes the rookie setter’s established strengths.
That approach could influence middle involvement, combination plays, transition patterns, and back-row options as the Highrisers develop their next identity. Greater roster continuity would also give Lamina opportunities to build dependable relationships rather than repeatedly adjusting to changing attacking personnel.
Lineup Stability Could Accelerate Setter Chemistry
Galeries can support Lamina’s development by maintaining consistent passing patterns and giving its attackers enough repetitions within the new system. Stronger continuity would help the rookie understand individual tendencies while improving the communication required during difficult rallies and broken plays.
Analytical Breakdown: The Transition Starts Now
Lamina’s transition requires patience because setter-hitter chemistry depends on repetition, communication, and understanding each attacker’s preferred tempo and location. Coronel’s departure also removes established leadership, making Galeries’ surrounding veterans important while their rookie setter adjusts professionally. Galeries should prioritize lineup stability around Lamina, allowing consistent connections to develop while she adapts to faster professional blocking systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Julia Coronel leave Galeries Tower?
Galeries announced Coronel’s departure after two seasons, although the initial announcement did not specify the reason behind their separation.
How long did Julia Coronel play for Galeries Tower?
Coronel spent two seasons with Galeries after the Highrisers selected her third overall during the inaugural 2024 PVL Draft.
Who could replace Julia Coronel as Galeries setter?
Lams Lamina now has a clearer opportunity for major playing time, while Maji Mangulabnan remains another setter option for Galeries.
What did Lams Lamina accomplish with National University?
Lamina helped National University win three UAAP women’s volleyball championships while establishing herself as one of collegiate volleyball’s leading setters.
Was Julia Coronel part of Alas Pilipinas?
Yes, Coronel became a regular member of the Alas Pilipinas national-team pool while playing professionally for Galeries Tower.
Disclaimer: Headline Image from Tiebreaker Times.
