Jema Galanza does not want to put too much pressure on herself to take over the role left by injured skipper Alyssa Valdez.
The open spiker just wants to do well on her job to contribute to Creamline’s title-retention bid in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Overshadowed by her teammates in their opening day outing, Galanza bounced back big time Thursday night to help the Cool Smashers in a clinical dismantling of Cignal, 25-16, 25-21, 25-15, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The do-it-all Creamline star fired 13 points all off kills in 32 spike attempts to make up for a quiet six points in a win against Petro Gazz last Saturday.
“Coach (Sherwin Meneses) told us that we don’t need to change anything and just do the things we do during practice,” Galanza said.
“Maybe I just need to put on a mindset that while Ate Ly is out, I have to show my leadership on and off the court. And I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”
Galanza, the other half of the Cool Smashers’ tried and tested open hitters alongside Valdez, was also active on floor defense as she tallied seven excellent receptions.
The Adamson University product hopes to consistently deliver while Valdez recuperates from a right knee injury, she sustained last December during the Reinforced Conference battle for third.
“That’s our goal. As much as possible I want to be consistent and to lessen my errors,” she said.
Creamline in its two wins — all off straight sets — proved to be a team with a very deep arsenal as it barely felt the absence of Valdez.
Opposite hitter Michele Gumabao, inserted back in the starting rotation, has been providing great numbers on offense averaging 13.5 points per outing.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Tots Carlos and middle Ced Domingo are also contributing well while setter Jia Morado-de Guzman effectively utilizes her attackers to overwhelm their opponents.
Valdez, who is expected to be out for a couple of weeks more, despite being sidelined, is also doing her part on the bench cheering and sharing inputs during the game.
“We never actually lost the leadership of Ate Ly. She tells us what we need to do inside the court,” Galanza said.
The Cool Smashers aim for a third straight win on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, in a marquee match against sister-team Choco Mucho at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
