If there’s one thing that brings out the best in Jema Galanza, it’s Premier Volleyball League postseason action.
Drawing inspiration and energy from the 17,457-strong crowd inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Galanza and her Creamline Cool Smashers fashioned a 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 victory over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
They are now one win away from their fourth straight All-Filipino Conference crown on Thursday evening.
The 5-foot-7 outside spiker from Laguna delivered a dazzling performance, scoring 20 points and making 13 excellent receptions as the Cool Smashers quieted the purple half of the arena.
“Thankful lang ako sa team ko kasi binibigyan nila ako ng chance na mag-improve everyday.
“Wala, kasi semis, finals, ito yung mga laro na ang sarap ilaro, alam mo yun? Intense talagang lumalaban yung kalaban, so gusto ko lang din ilabas yung laro ko sa mga ganung ka-intense na games,” said the 27-year-old Galanza.
This might be one of the most challenging conferences for Creamlinein recent memory, and that’s also the reason why they want to win this title so badly.
The Cool Smashers lost three games in the elimination round, finishing 8-3, tying for fourth to fifth spots.
Fortunately, they held the tiebreaker over PLDT to enter the four-team, round-robin semifinals.
In the semis, Creamline lost for the first time ever to Choco Mucho after winning their first 12 meetings, but they rebounded with wins over Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz to clinch a seat in the best-of-three Finals.
“Sobrang special lagi kong sinasabi itong season na ‘to. Ang daming pinagdaanan, nag-struggle kami ng sobra,” said Galanza.
“Kung titignan niyo, hindi ito yung Creamline na kilala niyo. Pero ganon talaga, hindi naman kami perfect and yun nga, tumataas yung level ng competition, lumalakas yung mga players at yung ibang teams.”
For Galanza, Creamline’s grit and composure despite the unfamiliar position were a product of their championship experience from multiple Finals appearances and titles.
The Cool Smashers will look to finish the series right away in Game 2 on Sunday, still at the Big Dome.
“Yung mindset ng pagiging champion kasi, ang hirap maging consistent, ang hirap maging champion every conference. Pero makikita niyo sa amin, bawat isa gusto namin nananalo, gusto namin makuha ang season na ito,” said the four-time PVL Best Outside Spiker.
“Ganun naman ang gagawin namin talaga every season.”
By: Justin Valencia | TieBreaker Times