PETRO Gazz isn’t just eyeing a repeat of their 2019 PVL Reinforced Conference championship run when it faces Creamline anew in this year’s knockout quarterfinals.
Adding fuel to the fire of the Angels’ turnaround bid is the desire to honor and fight for their late teammate Janisa Johnson.
The 32-year-old American import, who won Finals MVP and was captain in Petro Gazz’ maiden title run four years ago, lost her longtime battle with colon cancer just a few months before the 2024 import-laden tilt.
And such a high-stakes playoff-opening title rematch means everything and more for the two-time PVL champions’ returning import Wilma Salas.
Salas and Johnson proved to be the Angels’ one-two punch and arguably one of the best import pairings the PVL has seen back when the league still allowed two reinforcements per team.
The Angels’ statement straight-sets finish to pool play over Chery Tiggo locked in their eventual playoff showdown with Creamline.
Her biggest and most important motivation that’ll make a possible win even sweeter? Having Johnson with her and the team in spirit.
“(A win will be) more than special because I say this conference is dedicated to Janisa. Sometimes, I feel this, I feel Janisa in the court. I feel Janisa's support with the team,” Salas said.
“For sure, we’ll go to the court (in the quarterfinals) and win for Janisa.”
A whole new battleground
Salas’ return to Philippine volleyball gave her a new perspective on how the league and the sport have grown since 2019.
From dealing with visa-related problems which hampered what would’ve been an earlier comeback stint, the 33-year-old Cuban ace feels like she’s also evolved to be a whole new machine ready to wage war for another golden finish.
“In 2019, we had good imports. But I think this year, we have more better imports (in the league). This is the difference now. It's more difficult for you to win,” she shared.
“But now, I feel the difference with my body, with my performance. And for sure, I can improve more in every game. In this (quarterfinal) game, for sure, I will improve more.”
And it’ll be all hands on deck against a Creamline team which might look a bit different than four years ago with a few missing pieces, but still carries the championship DNA they’re known for.
“This game with Creamline, many people are waiting for this game. It's difficult, but we go to the court for fight. We go to the court to give everything. Until now, we played good. We have more (confidence) with the younger players," she stated.
“We’ll go to the game to fight in every game.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
