PVL: Jema Galanza calls Creamline’s 11th title ‘most memorable’

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza and Jia De Guzman during a game against Cignal Super Spikers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Jema Galanza believes Creamline’s 11th championship was its sweetest yet after conquering its toughest road in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Galanza, who missed the latter part of the preliminaries and the qualifying round due to a minor knee injury, capped her comeback with 12 points, 19 digs, and 16 excellent receptions as Creamline outlasted Cignal, 25-23, 22-25, 25-16, 16-25, 15-11, in Game 2 on Thursday before 17,358 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: Cool Smashers reclaim one of three PVL titles they lost last season

“For me, this is the happiest and most memorable title we’ve won. The teams that beat us before, we were able to get back at them this conference,” said Galanza in Filipino. “On our way to the finals, we went through all of them. It’s something to be proud of, and we proved to ourselves that we can really win a championship as long as we stay together.”

Creamline Cool Smashers celebrate after winning the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Creamline survived do-or-die games in both the play-in and semifinals, avenging earlier losses to PLDT and Farm Fresh.

Facing a Cignal side that had beaten them twice in the conference, the Cool Smashers swept the Finals to secure their seventh All-Filipino crown in nine straight appearances.

“I’m just really thankful to my teammates and coaches. There were times when coach wasn’t around, or I wasn’t there. We weren’t complete in some games. But the team kept performing and giving their best. So it’s really all about gratitude, because we became champions through teamwork,” said Galanza, who also missed last year’s Reinforced due to a foot injury.

Despite missing games and dealing with injury, Galanza said she never doubted Creamline’s title bid.

“Injuries are something you don’t expect. You prepare all offseason, condition yourself, then suddenly it happens. But even when I was out, the team didn’t feel lacking because everyone stepped up and contributed. I think I came back at the perfect time, and I’m glad I was able to help the team until the end,” said the former league MVP.