The first part of Jema Galanza’s birthday wish came true on Tuesday night after Creamline took down Chery Tiggo in four sets, maintaining its unbeaten record in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
Galanza, however, will have to wait three weeks – and work hard, of course, for the second part to materialize.
“Siyempre masaya kasi nanalo kami ngayon sa kaarawan ko,” said Galanza after spending more than 10 minutes greeting her fans, who took the time to travel to Philsports Arena and celebrate her 27th birthday.
“Yung (una) manalo ngayong araw (versus Chery Tiggo) and syempre ‘yung championship and siguro ‘yung healthy lahat ng teams,” said the reigning All-Filipino Conference Second Best Outside Spiker.
The former league MVP scored 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, along with 18 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.
And her performance helped the Cool Smashers fend off the streaking Crossovers.
Creamline had to overcome a second-set lapse that saw Chery Tiggo crawl back and even the count at 1-all. It eventually exerted its might in the third and fourth sets to complete the win and snap the opposing side’s six-game winning streak.
“Parang ‘yung game na ‘to, pinakita rin sa’min na ‘di kami pwedeng mag-relax kasi talagang kaya nilang dumikit sa’min kung magpapabaya kami,” said Galanza.
“Yung mga pagkakamali namin nu’ng second set, kinalimutan na namin ‘yun, tapos na. Talagang may mga ganung nangyayari lalo na kung dikitan ang laban. Kinailangan lang namin umpisahan ulit nung third set, ibalik lang namin ‘yung sistema namin, at mas kapitan namin kasi kumakapit din naman ‘yung Chery.”
Creamline’s next assignment will be the also-ran Akari on Thursday before facing Galeries Tower on December 5 to finish the elimination round.
Galanza vows to help the Cool Smashers sweep their last two assignments and keep their perfect slate heading into the semifinals.
“Siyempre gusto rin naming matapos ‘yung elimination round ng panalo lahat. Sa mga darating pa naming games, pag-aaralan namin kung paano kami gumalaw sa court. Kung pwede pang may maglalaro pa na ibang teammates ko, bakit hindi ‘di ba,” said Galanza.
“Mas maganda rin na lahat talaga nakakapag-prepare kasi medyo mabigat talaga ‘tong semis na ‘to and for sure, talagang lahat gusto makapasok sa finals. Kaya ayun, magandang preparation sa’min ‘to.”
