Tag: Jema

Jema Galanza happy to join Alas Pilipinas despite minor injury

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Jema Galanza during Alas Pilipinas game against Vietnam in the FIVB Challenger Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza was grateful for the chance to suit up for Alas Pilipinas in the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup despite the last-minute changes to her position due to a minor foot injury in practice.

Days before the tournament, Galanza rolled her ankle in practice, which led to her returning to a spiker position despite being initially listed as libero in time for their game against Vietnam. Middle blocker Cherry Nunag taking the second libero role.

The reigning PVL Finals MVP saw limited action as a service specialist playing in the last two sets in Alas’ 14-25, 22-25, 21-25 loss to Vietnam on Friday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam FIVB Challenger Cup

“Of course, we didn’t expect what happened within our team, so we focused on how to solve the problem,” Galanza told reporters. “As for me, I’ll do my best and my part to help the Philippines with whatever the coach gives me to do.”

Galanza, who wasn’t able to join Alas in the AVC Challenge Cup due to Creamline’s trip to Spain, made special mention of Thi Bich Tuyen Nguyen and her development since the last time they crossed past. The Vietnamese star poured in 30 points to advance to the semifinal against Czechia on Saturday. 

“I played against her with Ate Alyssa [Valdez] and Ate Ces [Molina]. She didn’t play the whole game back then. This game, she played heavier minutes and performed really well against us. We saw how many points she contributed to their team,” she said. “We saw and felt her impact.”

READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in Challenger Cup

The do-it-all spiker, who represented the country in the past two Southeast Asian Games, is still honored to return to Alas despite the limited action, seeking to contribute more in the next national team stints. 

“I’m happy to be part of Alas Pilipinas again and to be with the younger players. They’ve improved a lot and this team will get even better,” Galanza said. “I’m proud to be part of this. This is the time to improve and grow as a player and I can learn more from my teammates.”



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Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza won’t play libero in Challenger Cup

On: By: admin


Jema Galanza with fellow Alas Pilipinas players Cherry Nunag and Dell Palomata. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas at FIVB Challenger Cup

MANILA, Philippines — After initially being listed as libero, Jema Galanza is back to her original position as an outside spiker in the FIVB Challenger Cup on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Two days before their knockout game against AVC Challenge Cup champion Vietnam, Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito said that Galanza will no longer have to play as libero following a minor foot injury during their preparation.

“She is [doing] better and she’s ok. She will be a regular player,” De Brito told Inquirer Sports.

De Brito also bared that Dawn Macandili-Catindig will be the lone libero of Alas as Chery Tiggo’s Jen Nierva and Eya Laure didn’t train with the nationals. 

READ: Alas Pilipinas hit with reality check ahead of Challenger Cup

Alyssa Solomon, meanwhile, asked permission to skip the tournament as she needs more time to recover after leading National University’s title redemption tour in the UAAP Season 86 last May. She will likely join Alas for the SEA V.League in August.

“Solomon, as I mentioned, she is still in recovery. She requested more time since we contacted her. And the other guys did not attend,” said the Brazilian coach.

Alas battles Vietnam on Friday at 6:30 p.m., hoping to advance to the knockout semifinal on Saturday with only one of the eight participating countries — including Argentina, Belgium, Czech Republic, Kenya, Puerto Rico, and Sweden — qualifying for the Volleyball Nations League next year.

Facing a tough Southeast Asian rival, De Brito banks on Challenge Cup Best Setter Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino in leading the bronze medal team also composed of newcomer Bella Belen, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, Sisi Rondina, Vanie Gandler, Faith Nisperos. Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, Dell Palomata, and Cherry Nunag.

READ: Alas Pilipinas women draw tough first FIVB assignment

Meanwhile, Sweden and Belgium clash in a knockout match to open the 2024 FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Sweden, the European Golden League champion, brings a formidable team led by league Most Valuable Player Isabelle Haak against European League bronze medalist  Belgium led by star outside hitter Britt Herbots and middle blocker Silke Van Avermaet.

Puerto Rico and Kenya collide at 3 p.m., hunting for the other semifinal berth also on Thursday.

Puerto Rico was among the first to qualify for the Challenger Cup, topping the North, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation International League Final Four last year.



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Bound for Paris Olympics, Kenya boasts of the top-ranked women’s team in the African Volleyball Confederation led by captain and veteran middle blocker Trizah Atuka.

Creamline’s Jema Galanza likely out of Reinforced tilt

On: By: admin


Creamline’s Jema Galanza is set to play for Alas Pilipinas and will likely miss the PVL Reinforced Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —Creamline is preparing for the possibility that its go-to-scorer Jema Galanza won’t be joining the Cool Smashers in the upcoming 2024 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Galanza is one of the PVL players who are likely to miss the midseason conference due to their commitment to Alas Pilipinas, which will compete in the FIVB Challenger Cup next week against Vietnam and in the SEA V.League in August.

READ: Returning Jema Galanza ready for challenge with Alas Pilipinas

Although the PVL has aligned its calendar to the national team period to lend players to the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, most of the club teams are still hoping to have their players even late in the conference. 

“We don’t have the final decision yet, but based on what we know, she won’t be able to play with us. However, it’s not final yet so we are also waiting for the decision,” said Meneses on Wednesday in the PVL Rookie Draft Combine at GameVille Ball Park in Mandaluyong.

Tots Carlos was part of the training pool but Alas coach Jorge Souza De Brito has already ruled out the star opposite spiker at least for the Challenger Cup.

READ: Tots Carlos out for Alas Pilipinas, says coach Jorge de Brito

Meneses will be banking on American outside spiker Erica Staunton and their mainstays Alyssa Valdez and Bernadeth Pons in case they miss the reigning All-Filipino Finals MVP Galanza.

Draft strategy

Creamline Coach Sherwin Meneses during the PVL Draft Combine.

Creamline Coach Sherwin Meneses during the PVL Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“As of now, it’s okay because only time will tell. Our import is very young so they can easily adapt to the system,” said the Creamline coach.

Aside from their import, Meneses has a chance to add more players as they hold the 12th pick in the first-ever Rookie Draft on July 8. 

He has specific targets but it will depend on the picks of the first 11 teams.

“In every position, we have a strategy, but it depends on who the top 11 players are because we’re number 12. It’s very difficult to specify just one position,” he said.

“The Draft Combine is a big help because everyone has a chance to showcase their skills, even those who aren’t well-known have opportunities.”



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Creamline is hoping to end a six-year title drought in the Reinforced Conference as it settled for bronze in the import-laden tournament two years ago.

Returning Jema Galanza ready for challenge with Alas Pilipinas

On: By: admin


Alas Pilipinas’ Jema Galanza during a VNL meet and greet at Mall of Asia Arena.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jema Galanza embraces the challenge of helping the young guns of Alas Pilipinas as one of the reinforcements ahead of the squad’s campaign in the FIVB Challenger Cup from July 4 to 7 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Super excited kasi ngayon na lang ulit ako makakabalik for the national team and makaka-experience ulit ng international games,” said Galanza, who played for the Philippine women’s volleyball team in the past two Southeast Asian Games.

Galanza, the reigning PVL Finals MVP of the Creamline Cool Smashers, is delighted to join a new-look national team composed of the AVC Challenge Cup bronze medalist team, led by tournament’s Best Setter and captain Jia De Guzman and Best Opposite Spiker Angel Canino as well as Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Fifi Sharma, Thea Gagate, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Cherry Nunag, Dell Palomata, Faith Nisperos, Jennifer Nierva, Arah Panique, Julia Coronel, and Vanie Gandler.

READ: Jia De Guzman ‘grateful’ as Alas Pilipinas adds more firepower

The Creamline star was added with her teammate Tots Carlos and National University tandem Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon to the training pool led by coach Jorge Souza De Brito after missing the Challenge Cup due to the Cool Smashers’ long-awaited Spain trip.

“Marami naman talagang nagbago and super happy na mga bata ‘yung kasama ko kasi nacha-challenge ako at marami rin akong natututunan sa kanila. Masaya rin kasi mas relax din kasi ‘yung mga bata ngayon,” said Galanza.

“Marami na rin naman akong laro sa national team na hindi Creamline ‘yung kasama ko so wala namang bago. Maganda siyang challenge for me na iba ‘yung kasama ko so kailangan ko talagang mag-adjust sa sistema ni coach Jorge.”

The do-it-all spiker is grateful to reunite with longtime teammate De Guzman, who has been leading the charge for Alas. 

READ: NU stars, Jema Galanza join Alas Pilipinas training

“Kaming dalawa, hindi na mahirap sa amin ‘yung adjustment. Alam na namin agad ‘yung mga galawan namin sa loob ng court pero super happy kasi alam ko naman din kung paano siya mag-lead sa Creamline pa lang,” Galanza said. “Hindi naman ako mahihirapan gumalaw kasi alam ko na kung paano si ate Jia mag-lead.”

Galanza is also thankful for the warm support she received during the short Alas Pilipinas men’s and women’s teams meet and greet in the VNL on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Kahit saan naman tayo maglaro, laging nakasuporta ‘yung mga Filipino fans ng volleyball. I think ganito na talaga kalaki ‘yung volleyball community at tumataas na ‘yung level of competition kaya grabe na rin talaga ‘yung suporta na natatanggap namin,” she said.



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