Jema Galanza and the rest of the Creamline Cool Smashers are eager to bounce back from their Game 1 loss against the Petro Gazz Angels in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.
Jema Galanza made her presence felt in her extended minutes return for the Creamline Cool Smashers in their five-set loss to Petro Gazz in Game 1 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, April 8.
Galanza contributed 10 points, most of which came in the third and fourth sets, when the Cool Smashers rallied to force a fifth set.
But for the veteran wing spiker, the outcome wasn’t just about numbers—it was about missed opportunities.
“Sayang,” Galanza said after Creamline dropped a 25-17, 25-20, 18-25, 20-25, 15-10 decision. “Sayang kasi nilaban ng third and fourth eh tapos hindi lang namin natapos nung fifth. So may Game 2 pa naman. Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat.”
After overcoming a thumb injury that limited her in the semifinals, Galanza welcomed the extended court time and the trust given by head coach Sherwin Meneses.
“Masaya naman po. At least binibigyan ni coach ng chance at binibigyan niya ako ng tiwala,” she said. “Kung ano lang talaga ‘yung maibibigay ko sa team, bibigay ko din.”
[ALSO READ: Why did Jema Galanza sit out Creamline’s PVL match vs Akari? Coach Sherwin Meneses explains]
Reflecting on what went wrong in the loss, Galanza pointed to two crucial areas, especially in the tense deciding set.
“Communication. May mga hindi talaga pagkaka-unawaan sa game namin,” Galanza noted. “And siguro composure pa. Parang kaya pa eh, pero kinulang pa sa dulo.”
As the Cool Smashers gear up for a do-or-die Game 2 on Thursday, April 10, Galanza knows the team needs to come out stronger from the very beginning in order to keep their five-peat hopes alive.
“Siguro, kailangan una palang lumaban na kami agad. Kung kaya namin pumuntos ng anim, walo diretso, una palang dapat ilaban namin,” Galanza ended.