Jema Galanza Explained

Jema Galanza
Fullname:Jessica Margarett Casidsid Galanza
Birth Date:November 28, 1996
Hometown:San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines
Weight:61kg (134lb)
Spike:NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches)
Block:NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches)
Position:Outside hitter
College:Adamson University
Currentclub:Creamline Cool Smashers
Currentnumber:15, 23
Years1:2016
Team1:Laoag Power Smashers
Years2:2017–
Team2:Creamline Cool Smashers
Years3:2021
Team3:Rebisco Philippines
Nationalyears:2018–present
Nationalteam:Philippines

Jessica Margarett "Jema" Casidsid Galanza (born November 28, 1996) is a Filipina volleyball player and former captain of the Adamson Soaring Lady Falcons volleyball team in the UAAP and a National Team Member. She also played for the Laoag Power Smashers during the 2016 SVL Reinforced Conference and has become one of the top spikers for the Creamline Cool Smashers since 2017 in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).[1] [2]

Personal life

Galanza was born and raised in San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines to Jesse and Fe Galanza. She went to San Pedro Relocation Center National High School, San Pedro, Laguna and earned her bachelor's degree at Adamson University.[3] She has three siblings and her youngest sister, Maria Fe "Mafe" Galanza,[4] played for the University of Santo Tomas' Golden Tigresses.

Galanza was previously in a relationship with former Ateneo Lady Eagles and Choco Mucho Flying Titans player Deanna Wong.[5] She is currently in a relationship with former Ateneo Lady Eagles and fellow Creamline Cool Smashers player Ella de Jesus.[6]

Career

In 2013, Galanza debuted as a reserve player of Adamson University in the beach volleyball tournament.[7] She teamed up with star players Bang Pineda and Amanda Villanueva, and they completed a two-game championship sweep of the UAAP Season 76 women’s beach volleyball tournament against University of Santo Tomas.[8]

During her collegiate years, she played with the Adamson Lady Falcons and was the team captain in UAAP Season 80. Galanza is playing for the Creamline Cool Smashers in Premier Volleyball League along with Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, Michele Gumabao, and Tots Carlos.[9] [10]

In 2018, Galanza played for the Philippine women's volleyball team[11] that competed in the 2018 Asian Women's Volleyball Cup held at Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.[12] During the 2018 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference, Galanza received the 2nd best outside spiker award[13] and together with the Creamline Cool Smashers, eventually won the championship.[14]

During the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference, she bagged the 1st Best Outside Spiker and Most Valuable Player of the Conference awards and won the third PVL championship title of her current team Creamline Cool Smashers.[15]

In 2021, Galanza was invited to the training pool of the Philippine national volleyball team who would compete in the 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand from October 1 to 07, 2021.[16]

In 2022, Galanza was again called up in the final line-up of the Philippine national volleyball team and was set for her first SEA games appearance in Hanoi, Vietnam in May 2022.[17] At the Asian Women's Volleyball Championship later that year, she topscored with 21 points in the first win of the host Philippines over Iran.[18] [19] [20] Galanza also scored 18 points in the last two sets of their win in the AVC Cup classification match against Australia.[21]

Galanza and eventual MVP Tots Carlos led the Creamline Cool Smashers in winning the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the expense of KingWhale Taipei.[22]

Galanza also topscored for the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 3 of the All-Filipino Conference Finals against the Petro Gazz Angels on March 30, 2023.[23] [24]

In 2024, Galanza won her fifth Best Spiker award and earned the coveted Finals MVP plum after leading the Cool Smashers to their 4-peat and 8th title overall in the pro league.[25] [26] Earlier in the year, she and her fellow Adamson University alumna Ana Santiago received their PSC–PCW Women in Sports Awards.[27]

Awards

Individual

Collegiate

Club Team

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cool Smashers out to claim third place trophy. ABS-CBN Sports. Escarlote. Mark. June 13, 2017. June 15, 2017.
  2. Web site: From benchwarmer to MVP: Jema Galanza shines as a pro. Rappler. Velasco. Jillian. August 13, 2020. August 16, 2022.
  3. Web site: Adamson University . 2024-04-29 . www.adamson.edu.ph.
  4. Web site: Albelda. Josiah. January 13, 2018. Mafe Galanza hopes to follow sister's footsteps in the UAAP. Akari Sports. October 16, 2018. October 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181016081406/http://akarisports.com.ph/2018/01/30/mafe-galanza-hopes-to-follow-sisters-footsteps-in-the-uaap/. dead.
  5. Web site: Galanza, Wong reveal early struggles in relationship . Velasco . Jillian . August 19, 2020 . Rappler . September 7, 2024.
  6. Web site: Creamline’s Jema Galanza reflects about future goals with partner Ella de Jesus . Mina . Inna . May 27, 2024 . One Sports . September 7, 2024.
  7. Web site: 2020-08-13 . From benchwarmer to MVP: Jema Galanza shines as pro . 2022-08-03 . Rappler . en-US.
  8. Web site: Adamson ends UST's two-year reign, regains women's beach volley title . 2022-08-03 . Spin.ph . en.
  9. Web site: Escarlote. Mark. September 13, 2018. PVL Open Conference: Cool Smashers search for another title. ABS-CBN Sports. September 25, 2018. September 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203653/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2018/09/13/pvl-open-conference-cool-smashers-search-another-title-46862. dead.
  10. Web site: Creamline reaches PVL Invitational semis, leaves Chery Tiggo at bottom. Velasco. Jillian. July 28, 2022. August 11, 2022. Spin.ph. en.
  11. News: Escarlote. Mark. September 7, 2018. Galanza, Nabor earn National team spots. ABS-CBN Sports. October 16, 2018.
  12. News: AVC Asian Cup: Team PHI marches into battle. Escarlote. Mark. ABS-CBN Sports. September 14, 2018. September 25, 2018.
  13. News: PVL: Valdez earns Open Conference MVP honors. ABS-CBN Sports. Escarlote. Mark. December 8, 2018. December 10, 2018. December 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124645/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2018/12/08/pvl-valdez-earns-open-conference-mvp-honors-50817. dead.
  14. News: PVL: Cool Smashers crush Lady Eagles, rule Open Conference. ABS-CBN Sports. Escarlote. Mark. December 8, 2018. December 10, 2018. December 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181209134012/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2018/12/08/pvl-cool-smashers-crush-lady-eagles-rule-open-conference-50847. dead.
  15. News: Jema Galanza bags 2019 PVL Open Conference MVP. Rappler. Cabildo. Leigh Nald. November 9, 2019. July 28, 2022.
  16. Web site: 2021-08-29 . Galanza grateful to be in national team pool . 2022-08-03 . ESPN.com . en.
  17. Web site: Agcaoili . Lance . 2022-03-15 . Alyssa Valdez, Jaja Santiago lead PH volleyball team for SEA Games . 2022-08-03 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  18. Web site: Galanza 'proud' of PH's mindset vs China in AVC Cup. Verora. Levi. August 24, 2022. August 25, 2022. Sports Bytes Philippines.
  19. Web site: Jema Galanza stands tall to lead a gallant PH stand vs China. Reyes. Kate. August 24, 2022. August 25, 2022. Spin.ph.
  20. Web site: AVC Cup: Jema Galanza wills Creamline-PH past Iran for first win. Agcaoili. Lance. August 24, 2022. August 25, 2022.
  21. Web site: Agcaoili . Lance . 2022-08-28 . 'All heart': Jema Galanza plays through pain to lead Creamline-PH rally in AVC Cup . 2023-04-22 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  22. Web site: Creamline schools KingWhale to clinch PVL Invitational crown. Morales. Luisa. August 14, 2022. August 16, 2022. Philstar.
  23. Web site: Creamline beats Petro Gazz anew to win fourth PVL All-Filipino title. Agcaoili. Lance. March 30, 2023. March 30, 2023. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  24. Web site: Tots Carlos bags third MVP as Creamline dominates PVL All-Filipino awards list. Martin Dale. Bolima. March 30, 2023. March 30, 2023.
  25. Web site: Jema Galanza named PVL Finals MVP in Creamline’s latest title win. Lance. Agcaoili. May 12, 2024. May 13, 2024. Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  26. Web site: Jema Galanza takes home PVL Finals MVP in dramatic series vs Choco Mucho. Justin. Valencia. Tiebreaker Times. May 12, 2024. May 13, 2024.
  27. Web site: Philippine Sports Commission: Women In Sports 2024 complete list of awardees. March 24, 2024. May 13, 2024. Journal News Online.
  28. News: V-League Diaries: Volleyball's 5 Open Spikers that Brough Back Philippine Volleyball. Nicole. Rile. April 18, 2021. March 29, 2024. The POST.
  29. News: Soaring Falcons win intercollegiate volleyball c’ship; Lady Falcons settle for runner-up finish. MJF. Ramos. June 22, 2015. March 29, 2024. The Adamson News.
  30. News: Eager to finish the job for Creamline, Jema Galanza showcases reliability anew. Lance. Agcaoili. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 31, 2023. March 31, 2023.
  31. News: Reyes . Marc Anthony. April 8, 2022 . PVL: Creamline completes sweep to claim Open Conference title . . July 13, 2022.
  32. News: Anzures . Rom . May 12, 2024 . PVL: Creamline reigns over Choco Mucho anew to claim 2024 All-Filipino crown . . May 13, 2024.