Jema Galanza welcomes fellow Adamson product Barbie Jamili to Creamline

“Sobrang happy for her kasi may nakita ako sa isang interview niya na dream niya na makapasok sa Creamline. So ako din, kung gano’n yung dream ko at makakapasok ako sa team na gusto ko, sobrang ma-e-excite ako and matutuwa ako. And I hope na worth it din talaga yung pagsama niya sa amin,” Galanza told reporters Wednesday evening at Novotel Manila in Cubao.

“Kami naman, mine-make sure namin na pag may mga bagong dumadating, matututo, mas mag-grow, ganyan. At siyempre, mas mahalaga mag-enjoy habang naglalaro.”

The similarities between Galanza and Jamili are hard to ignore, as both players developed their game in San Marcelino.

Galanza first suited up for Adamson in 2013 as a reserve player for the school’s beach volleyball team, before eventually spending all five of her playing years with the Lady Falcons. She capped off her collegiate career as team captain in UAAP Season 80.

(C) PVL Images

Jamili, meanwhile, transferred to Adamson after a brief stint with Far Eastern University and represented the Lady Falcons from Seasons 86 to 88. Her collegiate career was highlighted by a breakthrough Final Four appearance in Season 88 under head coach JP Yude.

Beyond their Adamson ties, both are wing spikers who make up for their lack of height with power, explosiveness, and all-around efficiency. Because of this, Galanza believes Jamili has landed in the ideal environment to continue her development.

“Nasa magandang team siya kasi, especially si Jamili, all-around din siya. Di rin siya gano’ng katangkaran pero nandun yung power, explosive din siya. So yung team naman sistema siya eh. So I think kapag matiyaga ka lang, masipag ka, kakayanin naman niya yung sistema na meron yung Creamline,” Galanza explained.

“So basta tiyagain niya lang, huwag siyang magmadali. If hindi nakukuha yung gusto niya para sa sarili niya, meron talagang time para sa kanya,” she added.

For her part, Jamili admitted she is still trying to process the reality of being drafted by the most successful franchise in the nine-team league, along with the opportunity to play alongside her idol, Galanza.

“Na-starstruck ako, siyempre. Kahit sina Ate Denden na-starstruck [ako] sa kanila. Ang sarap sa feeling kasi hindi talaga ako nag-expect,” Jamili said.

However, she understands that being selected by Creamline comes with great responsibility. Still, Jamili is embracing the challenge ahead and is eager to prove that the Cool Smashers made the right choice.

“Ibibigay ko lang best ko kung ano ang meron ako and I’m willing to learn sa bagong team ko ngayon and sa ates ko,” said the 5-foot-5 spiker from Liloan, Cebu.

“Siguro po, pag may chance mapasok, i-all-out ko po, and mas i-improve ko pa po. Super excited po na kinakabahan, siyempre iba po ‘yung challenges and pressure po sa PVL, kaya all-out po.”