As Creamline nears another PVL title, Jema Galanza recalls tough road
MANILA, Philippines — Capturing their fourth consecutive PVL All-Filipino Conference championship would be extra special for Jema Galanza after a challenging campaign for the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Galanza, who sizzled in the semifinal round, continued to rise to the occasion for Creamline dropping 20 points to help beat sister team Choco Mucho, 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, and inch a win closer to their eighth overall championship on Thursday in front of 17,457 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“We went through so much, we struggled a lot. If you look at it, this is not the Creamline you’ve known,” said Galanza after tallying 18 attacks and two blocks on top of 13 excellent receptions. “But that’s just how it is because we’re not perfect and the level of competition is improving.”
PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024 Finals SCHEDULE
“We just need to improve individually and mentally, because the skills and chemistry are already there since we’ve been playing together for so long.”
Creamline finished fourth in the elimination round with an 8-3 record — the team’s worst finish in the pros — and dropped its first semis game to sister team Choco Mucho, where they blew a two-set lead, before bouncing back against Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo to return to the PVL Finals.
Even with the team missing the services of Jia De Guzman, who just finished her season in Japan, and losing Ced Domingo, the Cool Smashers remained the gold standard of Philippine volleyball with a win closer to overcoming this conference challenges with their fourth straight All-Filipino title.
The secret to their continued success? The championship mentality.
“The championship mindset [is helping is], because it’s hard to be consistent and win every conference. But as you can see with us, everyone wants to win and we also want to win this season,” said Galanza.
WATCH: Jema Galanza talks about her impressive showing for Creamline in the semis and Game 1 of the Finals. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/3qYkI4ywy9
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 9, 2024
Galanza is on a roll since the semis, bringing out her eagerness to fuel Creamline’s title drive and showing her A game in pressure-pack games.
“I’m thankful for this team for giving me a chance to improve every day. It’s a different experience playing in the Finals. It feels good. The intensity from the opponent is amazing so I also want to show my game as well,” said the 2019 PVL MVP.
The 27-year-old outside spiker also wanted to play her best in front of an ecstatic crowd as the tickets for PVL games had been sold out since the semifinals.
“Their support is really something else, even actors watch the games. We’re happy that the volleyball community is growing. Hopefully, we can improve more internationally so we the Philippines can really put up a fight,” she said.
Galanza and the Cool Smashers try to complete a sweep of Choco Mucho in Game 2 on Sunday at the Big Dome.