Chery Tiggo star Ara Galang and an elderly fan Flordeliza Reyes from Dasmariñas, Cavite share a hug after the Crossovers beat the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the PVL on Tour at Dasmariñas Arena.– LANCE AGCAOILI/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Flordeliza Reyes, an elderly fan, waited patiently for her favorite volleyball player, Ara Galang, to come out of the press room of Dasmariñas Arena on Saturday night.
It was worth the wait for Reyes, who had a special moment with Galang as the two hugged and shared a short but meaningful chat.
READ: PVL on Tour: Chery Tiggo trips Galeries to clinch QF berth
Nanay Flordeliza relishes her moment with Ara Galang in #PVLonTour Dasmariñas @INQUIRERSports #PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/aJCHlekjWn
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 2, 2025
“My heart was beating so loud. I was so happy, I was literally shaking with joy,” said Reyes, who even held a sign that had “Go Ara! Go Chery G! Go Aby!” written on it, in Filipino. “They’re really talented and kind too.”
The Caviteño has been a fan of Galang and Aby Maraño since their days at La Salle in the UAAP.
With Reyes and many more volleyball fans in attendance, Galang didn’t disappoint with an inspiring performance to help Chery Tiggo snap a two-game skid that kept their preseason title hopes alive.
“Even if there are new and younger players coming in, I can’t just step aside and let it go. I want to earn my spot, and they’re also working hard to earn theirs so it becomes a healthy competition within the team,” said Galang in Filipino.
“I can’t afford to take it easy. I need to live up to the trust the coaches and the team have given me. I still have a role to fulfill, so I’m going to keep going. I can’t stop improving, not just in games, but in every training. As long as I can help the team, that’s my mindset and that’s always been the goal.”
READ: PVL: Ara Galang channeling inner Hanamichi Sakuragi
Ara Galang grants a Caviteño fan’s wish.#PVL2025 #PVLonTour @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/3dzZsv4wEr
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 2, 2025
Galang also gamely granted selfie requests of other fans moments after she delivered 11 points and 11 digs as Chery Tiggo clinched a PVL on Tour quarterfinal berth following a 25-23, 25-22, 25-21 sweep of Galeries Tower.
“We really had the mindset that we couldn’t afford to lose. No matter what happens, we’re going to fight for it. We were already given a chance, and this was our opportunity to get into the quarterfinals. There’s still hope, so we needed to grab that chance,” said Galang.
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“It’s a good experience for the quarterfinals, which won’t be easy at all. So we really need our character to show, and everyone on the team has to want the same thing, move as one. Teamwork is super important.”
After a successful On Tour in Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Rizal, Iloilo, Cebu, and Cavite, where fans got their chance to watch their idols, the PVL returns to Manila for the final knockout games on Tuesday before the quarterfinals kick off on Thursday.
Galang and Chery Tiggo battle Nxled for a semifinal spot on Saturday.
