Going through a rough patch in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, Jema Galanza knows her struggles will make her a better player for the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Jema Galanza is back to her scoring form for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
After a string of low scoring games, Galanza bounced back in a big way to help the Cool Smashers down the Farm Fresh Foxies in straight sets, 25-15, 25-19, 27-25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, February 11.
The 28-year-old spiker finished with a game-high 15 points built on 12 attacks, one block, and two service aces.
After the match, Galanza admitted that she hasn’t been herself as of late, hoping to find her confidence when inside the taraflex.
“Kailangan ko lang talaga ibangon sarili kasi medyo hindi ko nakukuha ‘yung laro ko the past few games,” Galanza said during the post-game press conference.
“Ngayon, thankful ako [kina] coach na binibigyan ako ng chance na makuha ulit ['yung laro ko] and [pati na sa] teammates ko. So ngayon, focused ako [na] makabalik and mas relaxed sa loob ng court, mas nakakapag-isip.”
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In Creamline’s last four outings, the former PVL Finals MVP scored just 32 points in total—a far cry from her double-digit outings to start the conference, including 24 points against Choco Mucho.
But it's not just Galanza who has been dealing with inconsistencies in the extended conference despite Creamline's immaculate record.
“‘Yung mga struggles ko naman parang ito rin ‘yung way para makita ko kung ano ‘yung mga need ko i-improve,” Galanza explained. “Hindi lang naman ako, pati ‘yung team din kasi hindi lang din naman ako ‘yung nag-struggle, marami din pinagdadaanan ‘yung team namin.”
“Itong mga napagdadaanan namin, ito ‘yung tutulong samin umangat, makita namin ‘yung mga kailangan naming itama,” she added.
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As she looks to find her deadly form once for the defending champs, Galanza knows that her early struggles will the source of her inspiration.
“‘Yung training kasi, araw-araw naman eh. Skills kasi ‘yung ginagawa so araw-araw naman kami nag-rereceive, nag-didig, pumapalo, nagbloblock, pero kasi kung kalaban mo self ganyan so medyo mahirapan ka,” said Galanza.
“So, ‘yun ‘yung wino-work on ko na talagang labanan ‘yung mga negative na iniisip. Ito namang mga nafi-feel ko, eto rin naman magpapatatag sakin and sana 'pag kailangan na, gagana na,” she added.
Galanza will go for another strong outing as the Cool Smashers take on the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday, February 15 at the Ynares Center Antipolo.