Jema Galanza was thrilled to finally be back on the court after missing the previous conference due to a major foot injury, but the returning Cool Smashers star couldn’t hide her disappointment as Creamline came up short against PLDT.
“Siguro, may excitement na may kaba. Nakakapanibago na ngayon lang ulit nakabalik. Nakakalungkot lang na kinulang,” Galanza said after the Cool Smashers absorbed a straight-set loss to the High Speed Hitters on Thursday.
Galanza was sidelined for four months due to a lingering left foot injury, devoting that stretch to rehabilitation and recovery before making her much-anticipated return in the season-ending 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Despite the lengthy layoff, Galanza said she felt no pressure in her comeback, though she admitted she is still adjusting to the pace and intensity of competitive play after months away from game action.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually, wala namang pressure o wala naman akong inisip talaga. Yung pagkasanay lang kung paano ka maglalaro sa loob kasi four months din akong di naglaro. Ang tagal ko ring di na-feel yung pressure, yung laro, ganyan. Siguro, naninibago lang,” shared Galanza.
Now fully recovered, Galanza said she is simply happy to be competing again, with her excitement heightened by the return of Jia De Guzman and Bernadeth Pons—marking the first time in a long while that Creamline fielded a complete lineup.
Although Creamline stumbled in its conference opener, Galanza remains confident that the team’s chemistry and shared experience will carry them through as the tournament progresses.
“Actually, nung start ng training, nakaka-excite na lahat kumpleto na kami. Ayun, di nga namin alam ano ang mangyayari, sino ang first six, o ano ang itatakbo ng training namin, pero ngayong game lang, sad lang talaga na kinulang,” she said.
“Pero alam naman din namin na ang tagal na naming magkakasama, magkakakilala. Alam naman din namin na makakabawi kami sa next games this conference.”
