Creamline Cool Smashers. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Jema Galanza is thrilled to see fit-again Alyssa Valdez display flashes of her lethal form ahead of Creamline’s semifinal campaign in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
Galanza powered the Cool Smashers with 16 points to complete a four-game Pool A sweep in their 25-19, 24-26, 26-24, 25-19 victory over the Akari Chargers on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
More than their victory, the do-it-all outside spiker was happy for Valdez, who played her best scoring game of 12 points since coming back from a right knee injury that sidelined her for seven months.
“Sobrang happy na nakakalaro na siya nang maayos, na wala ng iniinda. Hindi siya awkward maglaro na. Sobrang layo na ng itsura niya kapag naglalaro noon sa ngayon and sobrang happy na nakikita ko na nakakabalik na siya,” Galanza said.
(I’m so happy for her because she has been playing well and her movements are no longer awkward, unlike when she was still recovering. I’m happy that she is back.)
Jema Galanza. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Creamline dropped its first set defeat of the tournament after Akari took the second frame behind the scoring of Faith Nisperos and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
Galanza credited their team captain for keeping them calm inside the court amid the gallant stand of the also-ran Chargers.
“Sobrang laking impact na nasa loob siya sa court kasi grabe yung leadership niya saka pampagising siya e. Kapag nawawala kami, nagsasalita siya, doon magigising yung team so importante talaga yun sa amin,” she said.
(She makes a huge impact inside the court because her leadership wakes us up when we are not playing well.)
It will be a tougher title defense for the Cool Smashers, who won the maiden Invitationals last year after sweeping KingWhale Taipei in the winner-take-all final, as they will battle two foreign teams this time, joining the visiting Japanese squad Kurashiki Ablaze and Vietnam’s Kinh Bac-Bac Ninh and the top two from Pool B in a round-robin semifinal.
Galanza said it’s hard to face the two foreign clubs as they haven’t scouted both visitors that’s why they are focusing on addressing their lapses.
“I haven’t seen them play but I saw some of them on Tiktok, they are tall. So we have to double time improving all aspects of our skills,” the 2019 PVL Open Conference MVP said. “We will focus on ourselves first, especially our conditioning since it will be a tiring stretch.”
“We have to improve everything as a team, especially our reception. We’re not perfect. We will train and work on our jelling while waiting for the semis,” she added.