Creamline Cool Smashers’ Jema Galanza during Game 2 vs Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After seeing limited action in the semifinal round due to a thumb injury, Jema Galanza turned out to be the spark that Creamline needed to force a winner-take-all Game 3 against Petro Gazz in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

HIGHLIGHTS: PVL All Filipino Finals Game 2 – Creamline vs Petro Gazz

Filling in the starter role for captain Alyssa Valdez, Galanza delivered 13 points, highlighted by the game-winning ace, to keep Creamline’s five peat dream after surviving Petro Gazz in another five-set thriller in Game 2 on Thursday night before over 11,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We kept telling ourselves, ‘We can do this.’ We weren’t going to accept that this season would end without us getting that championship,” said Galanza in Filipino.

Creamline saw the ghost of Game 1 when Petro Gazz forced a fifth set and took an early lead. But Galanza, along with Bernadeth Pons and Pangs Panaga, helped swing momentum back to the Cool Smashers.

“In Game 1, our fifth set didn’t go well, and we didn’t want that to happen again. So we really focused on all the little things—receiving, setting of Kyle Negrito, and just taking it step by step so we could control the game better,” Galanza said.

Bernadeth Pons hugs Jema Galanza and Michele Gumabao after a crucial point in the Creamline Cool Smashers win vs Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We just chose to forget about those first four sets—they were done. We focused on the 15 points we needed to get. We trusted each other, we prayed, and we really held on tight in this game. And this is the result… see you all on Saturday!” she added.

The reigning All-Filipino Finals MVP, who also sparked Creamline’s comeback in Game 1 that ended in a loss, said she’s always ready to deliver after coach Sherwin Meneses brought her back into the starting six and her presence set the tone for Creamline’s strong first-set win.

READ: PVL: Jema Galanza, Creamline stay positive despite Game 1 loss

“I’m happy I got to play longer this time. But more than that, the trust the team and Coach She gave me really meant a lot. I just had to do my job. There’s nothing else to think about now—just one more game, one last opponent. All focus is on that. Nothing else matters but doing my part,” she said.

With the longest All-Filipino supremacy at stake in Game 3 on Saturday at Philsports Arena, Galanza wouldn’t want to miss the chance to win their fifth consecutive All-Filipino and 11th overall title — possibly their sweetest championship.

“I guess we just think about how long this season has been, all the challenges we went through… we don’t want all that effort to go to waste. It’s the last game. We’re giving it everything—every bit of strength we have,” Galanza said.

“This feels like one of the toughest championship series we’ve been through, so if we win it, it’s going to be so meaningful. We’re going to embrace all the pressure and enjoy every moment of it.”