For Creamline Cool Smashers' Jema Galanza, a healthy mind, body, and soul that are all in sync is all that matters.
Completing a historic grand slam and a return duty to the women's national volleyball team made Creamline superstar Jema Galanza one of the busiest players this year.
And with the new PVL season looming, Galanza knew she had to put every aspect of herself in sync to achieve her goals.
“Ngayon, mas importante sa’kin na mas kundisyon ‘yung katawan ko, mas kundisyon ‘yung isip ko, ready ‘yung puso ko kung anu man yung ibibigay sa’kin si coach,” the 27-year-old hitter spoke to One Sports in an exclusive interview.
It appeared to be business as usual for Galanza in the last PVL season until it wasn’t.
She made her national team debut suiting up for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Women’s Challenger Cup last July.
[ALSO READ: Jema Galanza savors return to national team, lauds growth of Alas Pilipinas teammates]
Afterwards, the former Adamson Lady Falcon played in the SEA V.League- Leg 2 in August after being relegated to the reserve list in the first leg. Still, Alas went on to finish as back-to-back bronze medalists.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas make it back-to-back bronze medals in SEA V.League]
Galanza's commitment to Alas Pilipinas made her miss the entire mid-season Reinforced tilt which Creamline managed to overcome in her absence after beating the Akari Chargers to win the championship.
[ALSO READ: Creamline schools Akari to win 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference championship]
It seemed the possibility of the 2019 PVL Open Conference MVP not playing in the Invitational Conference was also put in place after PNVF national team chairman Ricky Palou confirmed the news.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas: Jema Galanza, Sisi Rondina, other key players out for the rest of Reinforced, Invitational Conferences]
However, Galanza made her Creamline return against the Farm Fresh Foxies and went on to help the Cool Smashers complete the first-ever grand slam in Philippine volleyball history after defeating the Cignal HD Spikers.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Creamline claims historic grand slam after outlasting Cignal in Invitational Conference final]
Regardless of what uniform she is wearing, it’s all about helping her teammates out and doing what she was tasked to do in the taraflex for the 10-time PVL champion team.
“Ako kasi kapag naglalaro ako [sa] national, international, focused ako sa kung anong matutunan ko and ano ‘yung kaya kong mashare sa magiging teammates ko at sa mga teammates ko sa creamline," Galanza said.
“So pagbalik ko naman, ‘yung mga natutunan ko gagawin ko lang siya.”
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jema Galanza lauds tried and tested Creamline system despite missing key players]
As Creamline enters a new season with veterans Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos working their way back in the fold, Galanza bared the readiness of any single Cool Smasher to step up to the plate.
“Lahat naman talaga may kayang patunayan at kayang gawin. Lahat naman kami ready and atleast kahit anong mangayari may mahuhugot si coach,” she said.