Creamline setter Mafe Galanza during Game 1 of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals on May 9, 2024 at the Araneta Coliseum. PVL Media

MANILA -- Young Creamline setter Mafe Galanza has shown no fear of the moment in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Finals, where she comes off the bench to provide a spark for the Cool Smashers.

The younger Galanza is a regular part of Sherwin Meneses' rotation, coming in with veteran Michele Gumabao as double substitutes for starters Kyle Negrito and Tots Carlos. In Game 1 of the best-of-3 Finals against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Thursday, Galanza and Gumabao fueled their comebacks in the second and third sets.

They helped put the finishing touches in Creamline's 24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16 win, which put them on the brink of another PVL championship.

READ: Creamline on brink of another title with big win over Choco Mucho

For Galanza, having the trust of her coaches and teammates -- and her production on the court for Creamline -- shows the result of the work she has done with the Cool Smashers.

"Siyempre nakakataba ng puso na grabe 'yung tiwala ng coaches sa akin," she told ABS-CBN News after Game 1 at the Araneta Coliseum. "Pero siyempre pinagtrabahuhan ko rin naman 'yun, kaya go lang ng go."

She is grateful to have the guidance not just of her older sister Jema, but the rest of the Creamline veterans. Gumabao, in particular, makes sure to encourage her every time they sub in to give the Cool Smashers a full frontline.

"Actually lagi lang sinasabi ni Ate MG na, 'Kaya natin 'to, bebe, kaya natin 'to.' 'Yun lang talaga. Lagi niya din sinasabi na kailangan natin makatulong sa kanila sa loob ng court, lalo na kapag lamang 'yung kalaban," she said.

"Ateng-ate kasi sila sa akin, kahit sa labas ng court. Talagang lagi silang naka-suporta sa akin, 'di lang naman sa akin, pati rin naman sa iba," she added.

For the older Galanza, it is a big source of pride to see her younger sister come into her own as a player with Creamline.

"Do'n sa first day niya sa Creamline hanggang ngayon, sobrang laki na ng in-improve niya, and ang saya lang na 'pag nagse-celebrate ako, nandoon siya," Jema said of her sister. "Sobrang nakaka-proud lang––parang naiiyak ka sa tuwa kasi grabe na 'yung grinow niya dito sa Creamline."

"Thankful din ako kay coach [Sherwin Meneses] na binigyan niya ng chance si Mafe and binibigyan din niya ng tiwala sa game."

And Gumabao has no doubt that she and Mafe will remain ready whenever they are called upon by their coaches.

"'Yung pressure nandiyan na talaga 'yan so kailangan lang talaga namin mag-focus and lumaban," the veteran said. "Hindi naman lahat magagawa namin or hindi naman lahat mapupuntos mo, pero you just have to do your best."

"'Yun lang talaga 'yung mentality namin, makapasok kaming dalawa ni Mafe, given na papasok kami ng crucial. Gagawin lang namin 'yung best namin," she added.

Gumabao had seven points off the bench in Game 1 of the Finals.

Game 2 of the series is on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.