Despite doubts and challenges, Jema Galanza and the Creamline Cool Smashers rallied to repulse the Petro Gazz Angels and keep their title-retention hopes alive in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
The Creamline Cool Smashers have encountered unprecedented pressure and skepticism in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
Known for their dominance, the defending champions stumbled three times during the elimination round before enduring a heartbreaking loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the opening match of the round-robin semifinals on Tuesday.
Given the recent setbacks, questions began to swirl — is this the end of Creamline's championship reign?
But the Cool Smashers proved that they were far from finished on Thursday night, rallying to repulse the Petro Gazz Angels, 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24, and keep their title-retention hopes alive.
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Jema Galanza, whose clutch performance was pivotal in Creamline's crucial win, couldn't help but reflect on the team's recent struggles and the doubters. She stressed that the only way to overcome the challenges was to play with heart and give everything on the court.
“Siyempre happy kami na nailaban namin. May mga parts ng game na parang kakayanin pa ba namin? Makakahabol pa ba kami? Mananalo ba kami?” pondered Galanza, who poured 23 points, 16 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions.
“Pero inisip lang namin na sa dami ng pagsubok namin ngayong conference, andaming nagdududa [sa amin] pero kami eto nasa harap niyo, kami ‘yung mga taong hindi mawawala ‘yung tiwala sa isa’t isa. Kaya naglaro kami ng lahat. Kaya nilaban talaga namin tong game na ‘to.”
Like what Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez stressed a few days ago, the Cool Smashers are embracing the pressure as they continue to find strength in the struggle.
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Galanza echoed this sentiment, “Ang sarap maglaro ng may pressure minsan kasi ‘yung gigil, nate-test mo ‘yung sarili paano ka maglaro. In-enjoy lang namin ‘yung mga ganung pagkakataon and ni-remind lang namin ‘yung sarili namin na hindi pa tapos, ilalaban natin ‘to kahit anong lamang ng kalaban, didikit tayo.”
Banking on resilience and determination, Creamline has kept its title-retention dreams alive, staying in the running for a Finals berth with a 1-1 record in the round-robin playoffs.
Galanza is well aware that the job is far from finished, and the Cool Smashers will not ease up until they achieve their ultimate goal. To take a step closer, they must defeat the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on May 5, Sunday.
“Malayo pa di pa tapos eh, kumbaga ako hindi pa ako nasa-satisfy sa nilalaro namin kasi wala pa kami sa dulo so malalaman namin ‘yan pag nandoon na kami sa goal namin,” Galanza said.