IF you can’t beat them, try again.
That's exactly what Jema Galanza and Creamline channeled all conference long, and it led them straight to a record 11th PVL championship.
READ: Admittedly 'tumatanda na,' Creamline just grateful for another title together
For Galanza, one of the lone constants in all title runs, this one stood out not because it was dominant, but because it was anything but.
“Para sa akin, ito ‘yung happiest and most memorable sa mga championships na napanalunan namin kasi ‘yung mga teams na natalo kami, nakabawi kami,” she said.
Indeed, unlike their near-flawless runs in the past, this campaign pushed the Cool Smashers to the brink, as they did not just have to win, they needed to claw their way out of a preliminary round hole.
Even more, come the single-round robin semifinals, they were staring at the faces of all of PLDT, Farm Fresh, and Cignal - all of whom got the better of them in the prelims.
But Creamline got hot at the right time, taking down the High Speed Hitters for an early edge in the semis, ousting the Foxies for the last finals berth, and ultimately sweeping the Super Spikers in the title series.
“Bago kami nakapasok ng finals, talagang dinaan namin lahat ng tumalo sa amin, kaya nakaka-proud na na-prove din namin sa sarili namin na kaya talaga namin na mag-champion basta sama-sama kami,” Galanza added.
It was a title run that reinforced the Cool Smashers' longstanding standard: fall, adjust and rise right back up.
A fitting finale
Nothing captured that better than Game 2 of the championship series, and that fifth set in particular.
After getting blown out in the fourth set by nine points, Galanza admitted doubts crept in during another tight Set 5 situation.
“Pinag-usapan nga namin ni [Bernadeth] Pons, kasi nu’ng fourth set, parang nawala kami, parang bumaba bigla,” she said. “Ta’s sabi namin ni Pons na kapag dikit ‘yung mga ganu’ng games, bakit ganu’n tayo?”
Still, when it mattered most, the response was the same as always.
“Gusto talaga eh. Gusto talaga naming manalo,” she expressed.
“Iba rin ‘yung hugot namin this conference, kaya kahit pagod na, kahit may mga iniinda na, mas pinili namin na tapusin na ‘tong game na ‘to.”
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