JEMA GALANZA FEELS 'FINALS VIBES' FACING NXLED IN PVL

MANILA, Philippines — Same feels but in different uniforms—Creamline star Jema Galanza has so much emotions facing the fortified Nxled Chameleons in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

During the 2024-25 finals, Creamline suffered a rare defeat at the hands of the now-defunct Petro Gazz, led by the powerhouse trio of Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, and Myla Pablo.

Now that this championship core has reunited under the Nxled Chameleons, Jema Galanza finds both a bitter memory and fresh motivation in their matchup. 

“I’m feeling so many things right now. I'm excited, but nervous, and really challenged. They are such great opponents. It’s honestly so good to play against them—you really have to think,” Galanza said during the post-game presser.

“You can’t just hit the ball or just get it in; you know what I mean? You have to use your head. Our composure was really put to the test, and today, that’s what truly won us the game."

The 5-foot-7 Creamline hitter finished with a team-high of 19 points in a five-set win against Nxled, 25-16, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-10, last Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Late in the deciding set, eight-time PVL Best Setter Jia De Guzman passed all the ball to  Galanza, allowing her to score four consecutive kills before Bernadeth Pons finished the set. 

“It’s not just me, honestly, it’s all of us. Whoever Ate Jia sets the ball to is capable of scoring. I guess the coaches’ shouting from the sidelines also helped, telling us to 'Hit it like this' or 'Go for that spot,’” she shared.

“That’s probably why I got a bit fired up; there was a lot of intensity in my hits, especially when it came down to those final points."

Creamline now holds a five-game win streak, 5-1, and has fully flaunted its form after an opening day blues against the PLDT High Speed Hitters.

The three remaining games of the Cool Smashers are against the: Akari Chargers, Farm Fresh Foxies, and the Cignal Super Spikers.  

2026-03-08T06:44:45Z