Jema Galanza has set aside the golden opportunity to play for flag and country in order to help the Creamline Cool Smashers in their title-retention bid in the 2019 PVL Open Conference.
The 22-year-old spiker admitted that she decided to withdraw from the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball team a month before Larong Volleyball Sa Pilipinas, Inc. disclosed that five players had pulled out of the training pool.
“Matagal na. One month na sinabihan ko na yung management,” the Adamson University standout confided.
Behind skipper Alyssa Valdez, Galanza has been the consistent source of offense for the Cool Smashers. She is averaging 11.86 points per game for the reigning champions, powering her team to a league-best 7-0 start.
But Valdez and starting setter Jia Morado will leave the country on September 15 to join the national team in its overseas tilt in Thailand. And Galanza knows too well that Creamline will need someone to carry the scoring cudgels.
Given the circumstances, she then opted to make the sacrifice and beg off.
“Desisyon ko naman kasi si Ate Ly, si Ate Jia mawawala sa Creamline,” Galanza said.
“Siyempre mahirap naman na madaming mawawala sa team namin.”
For the decision she has made for Creamline, Galanza found herself on the receiving end of praise from her captain, Valdez.
“Si Jema, really brave to say na nag-withdraw talaga siya,” opined the five-time V-League Most Valuable Player.
Valdez and Morado will play their last game against BaliPure on Sunday before leaving the country.
