Jema Galanza erupted for the Philippines against Iran on Wednesday night, making a tournament-high 21 points.
Most importantly, the effort did not go down the drain this time, picking up the country's first win in the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women at the expense of the Iranians, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14.
And for Galanza, the team's fightback in the fourth after Iran extended the match in the third was commendable.
She was at the forefront of that huge fourth frame for the Philippines, dropping eight of her 21 there, including the last three points of the country.
"Lagi naman kaming sinasabihan ni coach na lahat naman tinraining namin. Kailangan lang naming i-apply sa court, babawiin lang namin,” the 2019 PVL Open Conference MVP shared.
“Kumbaga, huwag lang kaming magmadali sa mga points na kailangan naming gawin. Yung mga pagkakamali naman namin nung third set.”
One edge that this version of the national team is that they've been a club team for so long - hence, their chemistry and cohesion are already there.
And it's just about putting those advantages to work on the taraflex when the bright lights are on.
“Siguro ganun na lang yung connection namin talaga. Alam namin sa bawat isa na kaya naming bumawi," shared Galanza.
Brimming with confidence, the Philippines will end its preliminary schedule on Thursday against winless South Korea represented by high school players.
And it's gonna be a big one because a win will mean a spot in the quarterfinals.
“Every day naman, hindi lang sa Korea, kundi sa lahat. Pinaka-importante po sa lahat is confidence po.”
