With Alas Pilipinas players already released to their respective mother teams, Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses is hopeful that superstar Jema Galanza can suit up for their match on Wednesday.
Galanza would be a significant boost to the Cool Smashers, who recently claimed the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference title last Wednesday. Creamline triumphed over Cignal in four sets—25-18, 29-27, 17-25, 25-20—on Monday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, securing yet another Final appearance, this time in the week-long Invitational Conference.
A victory in the Final on Thursday would not only mark Creamline’s 10th championship, but it would also etch their names in history as the first-ever Grand Slam winners in PVL history.
(C) PVL Images
“Pag-mimeetingan pa namin yung about sa mga Alas players. So hopefully, makalaro si Jema kasi syempre gustong-gusto na rin maglaro ng bata,” Meneses said shortly after booking their place in the gold medal match.
“Alam ko naman makakatulong siya sa amin pero siguro bukas, makakapagdesisyon kami.”
Galanza is a two-time PVL Most Valuable Player, having won the 2019 Open Conference MVP and the Finals MVP title in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
She is also a five-time PVL Best Outside Spiker.
The 5-foot-7 outside hitter from San Pedro, Laguna, has been instrumental in all nine of Creamline’s titles.
In contrast, Cignal has already utilized their Alas Pilipinas players, including Dawn Catindig and Vanie Gandler, while Galanza remained in civilian attire. Earlier that day, the volleyball national teams had a courtesy call at the Senate.
Before the Final, Creamline will close out their elimination round against the winless Farm Fresh team, which currently holds a 0-3 record.
