BEYOND her on-court firepower, it’s the bright smile of the late champion import Janisa Johnson that Petro Gazz’ Wilma Salas misses most.
Roughly a month before PVL action resumed, the league’s former Finals MVP passed away at age 32 after her battle with colon cancer.
And it just so happened that Salas’ return to local shores after five years was for the purpose of defending the Reinforced Conference crown she won with the late Johnson in 2019.
After leading Petro Gazz to a conference-opening victory over Capital1 with 15 markers, the Cuban reinforcement reiterated her team’s pursuit of dedicating their championship defense to their late cohort.
“Well for sure, I’m sad because Janisa (Johnson) is not here in this life (anymore). I came (back) to the league, in this conference for Janisa so every point, every (game), we think of Janisa,” said Salas.
“(I miss) her amazing smile every time. I missed it so much about JJ because she pushed (hard) with a smile. every game," she added “I miss her so much.”
Only three local holdovers from 2019 remain in the current Angels squad — Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng and Chie Saet.
But playing for a team she’s grown to call home even after all those years still gives her a comforting and confidence-boosting feeling.
“I think it’s like the same, it feels like 2019. I feel the same team because every day they give (me) confidence. I need time, for sure, because I only trained for four days. For sure, I can be better in the future," she stated.
“I feel happy to come back to the Philippines. I say every time Petro Gazz is like my home, my family, so I'm very excited about this conference.”
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