NOT even a recharged Choco Mucho could stop Creamline this time.
The Cool Smashers ruled the ‘Rebisco Clasico’, 25-22, 25-20, 30-32, 25-20, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jema Galanza went off for 24 points on 22 attacks, one block and one ace.
The rematch of last season’s All-Filipino finals saw Creamline pull off the same winning result in the same venue in front of a 9,551-strong Tuesday crowd.
It also marks Creamline’s 16th victory in 17 all-time battles against Choco Mucho since 2019 to extend its mastery of a fellow fan-favorite sister team.
Choco Mucho played its first game versus Creamline with a complete attacking trio in Sisi Rondina, Dindin Manabat and Royse Tubino onboard.
And it still wasn’t enough to crack a Tots Carlos-less Creamline down.
Like Galanza, Sisi Rondina also had a 24-point night to her name with 11 receptions but wasn’t enough to get the better of their sister team.
Holding on tight
Not often do the Cool Smashers find their backs against the wall in games.
But the Flying Titants gave them a proper test in the third set even as Creamline chased a 13-20 deficit with a 10-3 run and reached four match points.
Creamline may have dropped that set but got the job done with the next chance they had in the fourth frame.
And for Galanza, who’s been with Creamline for seven years to know the team and its ins-and-outs, their greatest asset is not only talent but also resilience and selflessness.
“Nagpapasalamat lang ako sa sarili ko na kumapit ‘yung sarili ko ngayong game. Sabi ko nga kanina, nagsisimula pa lang yung season, so hindi pa ito ‘yung time para ma-feel ko ‘yung perfect yung game ko o flawless yung game ko,” said Galanza.
“Happy lang naman ako lagi na naglalaro ako sa Creamline kasi siyempre family, ito yung kinalakihan ko. Ang tagal ko na, seven years na, parang ito na ‘yung comfort zone ko.
“Every time na gusto ko ng kumpiyansa sa sarili at mabalik ko yung laro kong gusto kong mabalik, super excited lang talaga ako lagi na maglaro.”
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