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FILE–Sisters Jema and Mafe Galanza with the Creamline Cool Smashers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza relished playing with younger sister Mafe in Creamline’s title-retention bid in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference finals.

Jema, who has been at the forefront of Creamline’s offense this conference, was thrilled to see her sister’s composure on the biggest stage as a backup setter for Kyle Negrito in the Cool Smashers’ 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22 win over the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals on Thursday evening at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I’m so happy and amazed with all her sets. She is also calm inside the court even though this is her first time to play in the PVL and it’s the Finals,” said the star outside spiker in Filipino after scoring 16 points in Game 1.

“It feels great to play with her in this kind of game. I hope she will continue to learn more but I wanted to hug her earlier because I am so proud of her,” she added.

The younger Galanza played as a substitute in the second and fourth sets to back up Negrito, who had 22 excellent sets on top of four points.

Jema bared that she convinced Mafe, who last saw action for University of Santo Tomas in 2019, to play for Creamline as Negrito needs a backup playmaker in filling in Jia De Guzman’s shoes with the eight-time PVL Best Setter living her dream in Japan as the Denso Airybees’ Asian import in the V.League.

“At first, she didn’t want to [play]. But I told her that we need a supporting setter because Kyle can’t do it alone. No pressure for her. She just needs to be in top condition and follow our coaches. And she has been doing it that’s why she can follow our system,” the elder Galanza said.

Creamline Cool Smashers’ Mafe Galanza. –PVL PHOTO

The former PVL Most Valuable Player hoped to play with or against her sister when she was still in college but it didn’t happen because of the K-12 program.

“I wanted to play with or against her in college but it didn’t happen because of senior high. I was sad back then. But I pushed her to play now because this is our opportunity to play together and it’s special since it’s her first pro stint,” Jema said.

The Creamline star hopes to win a championship with her sister in the PVL and more importantly, complete another All-Filipino sweep after all the Cool Smashers’ went through before this season-ending conference.

Galanza and Co. try to capture their third straight All-Filipino crown and seventh overall PVL title when they go for a sweep against Choco Mucho in Game 2 on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The team went through a lot and we didn’t expect to reach this far. We don’t want to waste our hardships because everyone really stepped up. We will fight until the end,” Galanza said.

Jema Galanza on playing with her sister, Mafe. #PVL2023

Posted by Inquirer Sports on Thursday, December 14, 2023