SOON after her team emerged victorious at the 2021 Premiere Volleyball League (PVL), Creamline volleyball player Jema Galanza has sought again another “time out” not on the game but on apparent breakup rumors circulating on social media.
In an official statement released Wednesday Virtual Playground, Galanza’s agency, thanked the fans for their unwavering support towards the league and their player.
“On behalf of our talent, Jessica Margaret Galanza, we would like to thank the public for their support on the recently concluded Premier Volleyball League (PVL). We saw her hard work alongside her whole team throughout the season even if they came short for the championship, their sacrifices and your prayers are indeed gold,” the Virtual Playground wrote atop their statement.
The management also asked to give Galanza some time and space, following the rumor that the Creamline open spiker is no longer in a relationship with former Ateneo de Manila’s ace and Choco Mucho setter Deanna Wong.
“We would like to humbly request you to allow her to take her time off to rest and be with her family this post-season. Let us give her the privacy she needs to attend to her personal matters,” according to the statement.
The agency moreover urged the audience and supporters to prioritize more significant issues rather than dipping on personal matters of their athlete especially now that the country is in the middle of a war against COVID-19.
“We encourage everyone to take this time of ECQ to also focus on more important matters instead of rumor mongering not to afflict inconveniences to anyone. Let us focus on our personal physical and mental health,” they emphasized.
Prior to the onset of the league, breakup rumors between Galanza and Wong have already surfaced on social media, adding a heavier toll aside from the same-sex relationship stigma both the athletes carry since they first revealed their status in 2018.
The volleyball power couple has first expressed their struggles in Tiebreaker Times’ So She Did vodcast, highlighting the fear of unveiling their real score to the public.
“Parang minsan, ayaw ko nang mag-out kami. Siyempre gusto lang namin mabuhay nang free kami, nagagawa namin ‘yung gusto namin pero bigla na lang kami may maririnig na [negative],” Galanza said.
The two first crossed paths during UAAP Season 80 competitions between the Adamson Lady Falcons, Galanza’s team, and Wong’s Ateneo Lady Eagles.
Wong said that she is well aware how Galanza’s life was still peaceful before meeting her, being more of a private person.
However, it went on a somersault of experience as the latter encountered backlash after revealing her relationship status with the country’s popular volleyball team setter. As a very private person, it was difficult for Galanza to get used to their situation in the first months of their relationship where they received various reactions from people.
“Lagi ko naman sinasabi sa kaniya na hayaan mo na ‘yun kasi ganoon naman ‘yung mga tao, ‘di ba? Para lang may masabi. Basta ‘yung focus niya, kami lang dalawa. I keep on telling her that naman, lagi,” Wong asserted.
It was not only Galanza, however, who was thrown negative messages at. Wong admitted that she also had to face the same hurdles and sacrifice important matters.
“I had to sacrifice the ones I loved, ‘yung mga tao na andoon sa akin ever since I was a baby kasi iba kasi ‘yung beliefs, iba ‘yung perspective ng mga tao so ‘di natin mapigilan ‘yun,” Wong said.
While the stigma on their relationship continues, so does the verbal abuse. Both athletes amid the rumors just then chose to remain silent.
(With additional story from Christine Je-Anne Sespeñe)