Limited by a sprained thumb in the semifinals, Jema Galanza rose to the occasion when it mattered most, keeping Creamline’s five-peat hopes alive in the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Finals on Thursday night.
After coming off the bench in their five-set loss in Game 1, Galanza earned a starting spot in Game 2 and delivered a composed and consistent performance.
Her presence proved crucial as the Cool Smashers outlasted Petro Gazz in another five-set thriller, 25-15, 16-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former league MVP admitted there was no option but to push through, especially with Creamline’s title hopes hanging in the balance in the do-or-die match-up.
“Siyempre happy na nakalaro, nakalaro nang matagal, pero malaking bagay din po ‘yung tiwala na binibigay ng team, lalo na si Coach She [Meneses] sa akin. Kailangan ko lang talaga gawin ‘yung trabaho ko,” said Galanza.
“Wala na gagawin kasi isang laro na lang ‘to, isang kalaban na lang kakalabanin namin so focus na lang do’n, wala naman dapat isipin kundi gawin ‘yong trabaho,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
Galanza tallied 13 points in the win and played a crucial role in keeping Creamline’s championship dream alive, forcing a winner-take-all Game 3 against the Angels.
The 28-year-old outside hitter from San Pedro, Laguna also made a significant impact in Game 1, providing a spark off the bench in the first two sets before starting the final three.
Now heading into the final game of what has been the longest conference in PVL history, Galanza feels determined to make every effort count, promising to go all out on Saturday.
“Siguro isipin na lang namin sa haba ng season, sa dami ng challenges na nangyari sa ‘min, ayaw na lang namin masayang ‘yung pagod, ginawa namin sa haba ng [conference]. Last game na, io-all out na namin, bigay na namin lahat ng lakas na kaya naming ibigay kasi alam mo, ito ‘yung parang mabigat na championship [series] na naranasan namin,” said Galanza.
“So ito ‘yung magandang experience ‘pag nag-champion kami. So ie-enjoy talaga namin lahat ng pressure na ibibigay sa’min.”
#WATCH: Coach Sherwin Meneses lauds the grit of Benadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, and the Cool Smashers for pushing the #PVL2025 Finals series to a do-or-die
@jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/sBxtRB2sQe
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 10, 2025
