Jema Galanza: I just want to win

CREAMLINE star Jema Galanza came up with an explosive performance in the winner-take-all Game 3 against Petro Gazz to help the Cool Smashers capture the PVL All-Filipino championship on Thursday, March 30, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Scoring 19 points in the game, Galanza helped the Cool Smashers post a 20-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 victory over the Angels to seize their sixth PVL title.

According to Galanza, who delivered the title-clinching attack before 12,175 fans in attendance at the venue, she gave her best because she wanted to win.

“I just really wanted to win. That’s it. I wasn’t thinking of anything but to hit the ball. That’s what coach instructed us, hit the ball,” said the 26-year-old Galanza in Filipino.

“Anyone who doesn’t want to hit the ball will be reprimanded so it was just all hitting for me and do whatever your job on the court is. You always should have that mindset to win.”

Galanza wasn’t just hitting all game long, though, as she did her part on the defensive end, too.

Galanza, who won the conference’s Second Best Outside Spiker award, also notched 16 digs and 11 receptions in the four-set contest.

It was surely an exhausting series for Galanza and the Cool Smashers but they are happy and relieved to have passed the test, especially after not making the Finals of the Reinforced Conference last year.

“I’m so happy because this threegame series against Petro Gazz was really draining. Our mindset for this game is to not let it slip away because we wanted to get the championship, especially after what happened to us last year. We really wanted to bring the momentum on our side this time,” she said.