Jema Galanza wasted no time making her presence felt.
In just her second game back from a minor knee injury, Galanza stepped up to help power the Creamline Cool Smashers past the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a five-set thriller to open their 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals campaign.
Jema Galanza Shows Out
After a quiet return in the play-in round, where she was held scoreless in limited minutes, Jema Galanza bounced back with 17 points, providing both scoring and energy as Creamline pulled off a 22-25, 27-25, 19-25, 28-26, 15-10 comeback win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
For Galanza, the focus was simple: contribute and stay composed in a high-pressure setting.
“Sobrang, sobrang happy, siyempre. Nakaka-boost ng morale,” she said after the match. “After ng game na ’to, ang iisipin lang namin ay maka-recover at mag-double time kami sa mga nararamdaman namin para all throughout semis to finals, talagang all out kami.”
All About Trust—in Herself and the Team
Coming off the bench in the first two sets before starting the rest of the way, Galanza leaned on composure and trust, both in herself and in the system.
“Siyempre, makapagbigay ng points, manalo, and walang injuries. Kasi sa mga gano’ng games, hindi mo masasabi, sobrang grabe ’yung pressure, mataas ’yung pressure,” she said. “Lagi lang akong ni-re-remind ni coach na gumalaw ako nang walang pressure para iwas sa injuries. So, yun lang yung finocus ko buong game.”
That mindset paid off late in the match, as Creamline regained control in the fourth and fifth sets.
“Siguro, nag-trust kami nang sobra sa isa’t isa. And kung meron man kaming pagkakamali o hindi namin napuntos, well, yun nga yung sabi din ni Coach na kung ’di kami makapuntos or may error, bumawi lang agad. So, I think yun yung nangyari, fourth set to fifth set. Kaya nakuha namin yung set,” she added.
Jema Galanza, Creamline Gearing Up for Tougher Challenges
While the Cool Smashers drew first blood, Jema Galanza knows the challenge only gets tougher from here as they face the Cignal Super Spikers on Tuesday, April 14, 6:00 p.m. at the same venue.
“So, pangatlong beses na namin sila makakalaban ngayon. I think, alam na alam na namin at alam na nila kung ano ang ilalaro namin. Mahaba-habang laro ulit ’to sa Cignal. And buti na-work out namin yung composure namin nitong PLDT, kasi sobrang importante siya sa magiging game namin sa Cignal,” she ended.
