Creamline stalwart Jema Galanza had nothing but praise for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, even after the Cool Smashers suffered a tough loss in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
For nearly five years, Creamline had Choco Mucho in a stranglehold.
Boasting a cohesive unit developed over multiple conferences and a wealth of experience, the Cool Smashers held a distinct upper hand over their sister team. These factors had kept the Flying Titans from defeating the defending champions in their past 12 encounters.
However, the narrative took a dramatic turn in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals on Tuesday night.
Choco Mucho finally cracked the code, pulling off a stunning come-from-behind victory, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16, to beat Creamline for the first time since joining the league in 2019.
The Cool Smashers at the time were missing the services of three-time MVP in Tots Carlos--who was applying for the 2024 Korean V-League Asian Quota Draft.
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Despite such a heartbreaking loss, Cool Smashers stalwart Jema Galanza had nothing but praises for seasoned tactician Dante Alinsunurin and the Flying Titans.
“Sobrang bilib ako kay Coach Dante kung paano siya mag-adjust, paano niya ina-adjust ‘yung team niya sa isang game,” said Galanza, who poured 23 points, 18 receptions, and 13 digs in the defeat.
“Sobrang laking bagay din ng nangyari sa kanila last year na nakapasok sila ng Finals, sobrang nakakataas ng morale sa kanilang lahat.”
True enough, the composure and resiliency of the Flying Titans have significantly improved since their Finals clash with the Cool Smashers in the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference.
This was evident when Sisi Rondina and the rest of Choco Mucho remained unshaken despite facing a 0-2 set deficit, mounting a spirited comeback to pull off a reverse sweep.
Even Galanza is pleased with the progress of their sister team.
“Sinabi na rin naman ni Maddie [Madayag] na hindi na sila basta-basta talaga, and totoo naman din talaga,” Galanza said.
“Happy lang din ako kasi as sister team namin sila, at least parehas kaming umaangat and mas maganda ‘yung mga pinapakita naming laban.”
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Creamline's hope of retaining the title is now hanging by a thread, as one more loss in the round-robin semifinals could end its chances of reaching the championship round.
Galanza understands there's no time to dwell on the setback. She and her teammates must immediately focus on their next assignment, which will be Petro Gazz on Thursday, May 2.
“‘Yung pagkatalo namin, hindi namin dapat damdamin. Walang oras para damdamin lahat,” Galanza said.
“Ganun talaga ang buhay, talagang may nananalo at saka natatalo. Pero ang importante, may natututunan naman kami kung paano namin siya maaayos sa training agad-agad kasi isang araw lang po ang training namin bago maglaro against Petro Gazz.”