In star-studded Creamline, Galanza finds space to score, set–and shine

Jema Galanza got the start for the first time for star-studded Creamline and the low-key outside hitter rose to the occasion.

The 21-year-old rising star scored 14 points to complement Alyssa Valdez’s 19-point output and power Creamline to a 25-21, 26-24, 25-23 triumph over Iriga-Navy on Wednesday in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at FilOil Flying V Centre.

“I was surprised when I was tapped to be in the first six,” said Adamson’s star hitter in Filipino. “But I always try to be ready.”

The Cool Smashers zoomed to 6-1 on the strength of a five-game winning streak and sealed the No. 1 ranking in the semifinals.

PayMaya disposed of young but gritty BaliPure-NU, 13-25, 25-21, 25-21, 20-15, 15-9, in the second match.

The High Flyers, who improved to 5-2, will enter the semifinals outright along with the Cool Smashers.

Iriga-Navy put up a fight and tried to stay in the match in the third set, overhauling a 1-8 deficit to even take a 23-22 lead. But Valdez led a finishing kick that spelled Iriga-Navy’s sixth straight defeat.

Creamline starting setter Jia Morado hurt her right shoulder midway through the second set and was replaced by Alex Cabanos. Galanza and another hitter, Rizza Mandapat, also took turns as makeshift setters.

In men’s action, Cignal and Vice Co overcame their respective rivals in similar five-set matches to move to the semifinals.

Cignal downed Army, 25-16, 22-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-10, while Vice Co downed Air Force, 25-19, 32-34, 19-25, 30-28, 16-14, to improve their records to identical 4-1.