How do you shine on a Creamline roster full of stars? Jema Galanza credits it all to Alyssa Valdez' leadership

On a team brimming with stars, finding a way to shine can be a challenge—but not for the Creamline Cool Smashers.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite, as every player gets her fair share of the spotlight at just the right time.

Jema Galanza says this is made possible by Alyssa Valdez’s guidance, whom the team regards not just as a teammate but as a true leader on and off the court.

"I think credit to Ate Ly kasi siya, alam naman natin kung ano na ‘yung mga narating ni Ate Ly, but siya ‘yung type ng teammate and leader na bubuuin kayo kahit sino ka pa," Galanza told GMA News Online on Tuesday.

Galanza is well aware that their team is made up of players who were once collegiate stars in their own right.

She herself was once the leader of Adamson University, while Valdez was the cornerstone of Ateneo de Manila University, which she led to a pair of UAAP titles, all while grabbing multiple individual awards as well.

Creamline also features other UAAP standouts like Jia De Guzman, Michele Gumabao, Tots Carlos, Bernadeth Pons, Bea De Leon, Jen Nierva, and Sheena Toring.

But even with a roster overflowing with stars, Galanza stressed that it doesn’t dim anyone’s shine. At Creamline, having so many standouts only helps each player shine even brighter.

"I think suwerte rin si Ate Ly sa amin kasi kami rin naman nagde-deliver at nakikinig din kami sa kanya, kasi kung tutuusin, lahat ng players sa amin ay leaders sa mga kaniya-kaniyang schools," Galanza added.

"Kaya mag-lead ng bawat isa, pero kami rin naman, pinipili namin na mas makinig kay Ate Ly."

The Cool Smashers showed that anyone on the team can shine at any given moment in Game 1 of their PVL Open Conference finals against Cignal, with Galanza leading the way with 17 points while Pons posted 11 markers.

In that game, three-time PVL MVP Alyssa Valdez did not see action in the last two sets, as Creamline cruised to a dominant 25-22, 25-18, 25-16 victory.

"Lahat naman kasi kayang mag-perform eh. Kung kaya ngang ipasok lahat, ipapasok lahat, pero anim lang ‘yung nasa loob. So kung sino ‘yung naiisip ni Coach She na gusto niyang maglaro sa loob, ‘yun ‘yung papalaruin," Galanza said.

"Itong season na ‘to, nananalo kami kasi nagagamit ni Coach She ang lahat."

With everyone shining in their own ways, Creamline moved closer to ending its one-year title drought.

—JKC, GMA News