ILOCOS NORTE -- If there's one player who will be key for Creamline's title hopes, it's definitely Jema Galanza.
And the native of San Pedro, Laguna did just that to close out the Cool Smashers' elimination round campaign.
Galanza did just that on Friday after she came through with a clutch performance to help lift the Cool Smashers past the upset-conscious Perlas Spikers, 25-12, 22-25,21-25, 25-20, 15-10, and claim the top seeding in the semis of the Premier Volleyball Open (PVL) Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center here in Bacarra.
The Adamson product came off the bench and contributed 13 points, mostly coming in the last two sets when the Cool Smashers mounted a fightback.
The 2019 Open Conference MVP lost her starting job to the sensational Tots Carlos after struggling most of the season where he has averaged a measly 7.75 points entering the Perlas game.
Galanza has embraced her role to the fullest to help Creamline nail its eighth win in nine outings and No. 1 slot in the best-of-three semis where it will face No. 4 Petro Gazz starting Sunday.
Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez was quick to notice.
"Overall team effort. We believe sa tiwala ng mga coaches naming na everyone in our team na gagawa," said Valdez. "Jema came back at the right time and alam naming hinihintay niya lang din ito, we're happy for her also."
And expect more from Galanza from here on out. (VJ)
