“We gave our best”: Jema Galanza looks ahead after Creamline’s shock PVL semifinal loss

The PLDT High Speed Hitters registered the biggest upset of the ongoing 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour preseason tournament by defeating powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, 27-25, 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-10, in the semifinals to secure a spot in the tournament’s finals.

Creamline were aiming to make their eighth consecutive appearance in a PVL Finals, but the Cool Smashers missed a championship game for the first time in three years — the last being in the 2022 Reinforced Conference, when they blew a 2-1 advantage in a semifinal clash, also against PLDT.

Despite missing out on another finals berth, Creamline star Jema Galanza admitted that the team isn’t dwelling on the loss and is now focusing on the upcoming Invitational Conference.

“I am sad since our goal is to win. But we should not dwell too much on what happened because we gave our best inside the court. It’s a loss, and we shouldn’t drag ourselves down because after this, there’s another conference to prepare for,” Galanza said during a media interaction.

“There is another chance to reach our goal again. Of course, I’m still sad since we didn’t finish it the way we wanted. But we should not give up — that’s what we learned. Win or lose, we must keep learning and keep working it all out,” she added.

PVL | WATCH:

Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses reflects on the Cool Smashers’ #PVLonTour campaign. #PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/I8QjCgvgBi

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 12, 2025

What may have stung more for Galanza is that she delivered her best performance of the PVL On Tour in the loss, finishing with 20 points, with strong support from Filipino volleyball superstar Alyssa Valdez.

Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses echoed Galanza’s sentiments, admitting that PLDT were the better team on the night and confirming that the squad will now turn their attention to the Invitational Conference.

“Of course, we’re a bit disappointed that we didn’t make it to the finals. But honestly, PLDT really deserved that spot — they’ve been playing very well. For now, we’ll shift our focus to the battle for third place and bounce back in the Invitational. That’s just how it is,” Meneses said.

“One big takeaway is that full preparation is really crucial. But of course, no excuses — we just have to do better next time. Hopefully, in the future, we get more time to prepare so we can hit our peak, just like Creamline,” he concluded.

For the first time since 2019, there will be no Creamline or Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Finals. The Cool Smashers will instead play in the bronze medal match against the Cignal HD Spikers on Sunday, August 17, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The PVL Invitational Conference is scheduled to take place from August 21 to 31, with Creamline competing alongside PLDT, Chery Tiggo Crossovers, Cignal, and foreign guest teams Kurashiki Ablaze and Kobe Shinwa University from Japan.

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