Adamson’s Jema Galanza. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jema Galanza is not one to let past drawbacks get in the way of her dream.
After suffering a gruesome right ankle injury in September last year even as Adamson ended Season 79 with a dismal 1-13 record, Galanza immediately set her sights to the big dance of Season 80.
Going into her final playing year with the Lady Falcons, Galanza said she wants to end her collegiate career by making it to the Final Four and no less.
“I want to get to the Final Four and if the team performs better we want to get to the Finals,” said Galanza in Filipino Thursday during the team’s practice at Adamson. “It’s been so long since I’ve been to the Final Four.”
Galanza’s first and only appearance in the semifinals was in her rookie year in Season 76 back when Bang Pineda still ruled the roost for the Lady Falcons.
“That’s my goal in my last playing year, to get to the Final Four.”
The Lady Falcons showed that they have moved on from their disastrous Season 79 campaign by finishing fourth place in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference last year.
Adamson pulled off a surprise streak with six straight wins before bowing out in the semifinals to eventual runner-up Far Eastern University.
“The team has been performing well in training because I can already see the intensity and the teamwork,” said Galanza. “Basically I can see that there really is a connection between the players. There’s the willingness to win.”