Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza, left, is named PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals MVP.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza earned her first PVL Finals MVP after Creamline completed another series sweep of their sister team Choco Mucho in five sets in front of 23,162 fans on Sunday night in the All-Filipino Conference at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Galanza delivered another all-around game with 20 points and 16 excellent receptions as Creamline captured its eighth crown, pulling off a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11 victory over Choco Mucho in Game 2.
“Sobrang happy lang ako kung saan gaano kalaki na yung grinow ng bawat isa samin. Hindi madali. Sobrang hirap talaga kasi minsan gumigising kami sa umaga na ‘aabot ba tayo?'” said Galanza. “Nagbibiruan pa kami ‘magbobook na ba kami?’ kasi talagang kaunti nalang mawawala na sa amin yung goal namin.”
The Creamline lifer also won the Best Outside Spiker to cap their fourth consecutive All-Filipino Conference title.
READ: As Creamline nears PVL title, Jema Galanza recalls tough road
The former 2019 Open Conference MVP averaged 20.0 points in two games.
Galanza dropped 20 points and 13 excellent receptions to take Game 1 with a 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 triumph on Thursday.
Galanza peaked at the right time, sizzling in the semifinals to bring back the Cool Smashers to the Finals after placing fourth in the elimination round.
“Nasubukan kami and alam lang din namin yan na kung pano kami makakabalik. Yung mga losses naman namin this conference, maliban sa magagaling talaga yung ibang teams, meron talaga kaming pagkukulang,” she said. “Ngayon na nakabawi kami ngayon sa Choco, this finals pa, so sobrang happy and nakakataas ng morale. Nakabawi din kami sa finals pa.”