Thursday night was a dream come true for Jema Galanza as she shared the court with her sister, Mafe, in the finals of the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
Mafe, who played sparingly throughout the conference, provided quality minutes in the Cool Smashers’ 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22 Game 1 win over Choco Mucho at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The younger Galanza subbed in during the second and fourth sets and helped starting setter Kyle Negrito get some much-needed rest in the tight four-set encounter that saw Choco Mucho push the Cool Smashers to their limit.
Jema said that she’s very happy for her sister, who took some time off from volleyball after her collegiate career before eventually making her way back and teaming up with her in Creamline.
“Sobrang happy. Lahat ng sets niya talaga naa-amaze ako. Grabe din yung kalma niya sa loob ng court kahit first time niyang naglalaro dito sa PVL – and finals pa. So nakakatuwa na magkasama kami sa gantong klaseng laro,” said the former PVL MVP.
The former Adamson standout revealed that she has wanted to share the court with Mafe ever since in the UAAP. However, the shift to the K to 12 system derailed her plans.
“Sobrang inantay ko ‘to. Nung college ako, inaabangan ko siya na magkatapat kami or magkasabay kami sa college. Kaso nga lang ‘di nangyari dahil nga nagkaroon na ng Senior High, so na-sad ako,” said Jema, who scored 16 points in the victory.
“Sana marami pa siyang matutunan talaga, gusto ko lang siyang i-hug kanina kasi sobrang proud ako sa kanya.”
The 27-year-old Galanza also recalled the time when she asked her younger sister to return to volleyball, saying that Mafe has come a long way since then.
“Nung una talaga, ayaw niya. Sabi ko lang kailangan lang namin ng support sa setter kasi hindi kakayanin din ni Kyle [mag-isa]. So ayun lang, kailangan mo lang magpakundisyon, walang pressure, gawin mo lang yung trabaho mo. Kung ano yung pinapagawa sa’yo ng coaches, gawin mo lang, and siguro yun lang din yung ginawa niya kaya nakasabay din agad siya agad sa sistema,” said Jema.
“Yun nga, sobrang pinush ko talaga siyang mag-laro kasi ngayon lang ulit kami magkakasama. Sa first pro league pa niya.”
