MANILA, Philippines – PetroGazz’s fiery duo of Janisa Johnson and Wilma Salas did more than just lead the young team to its first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) championship. The standout imports also just inspired them to continue their winning romp. 

“I know what it’s like to win a championship, the other girls don’t. So I wanted them to experience what I’ve experienced before,” said American guest player Janisa Johnson, who bagged the Finals MVP of the 2019 PVL Reinforced Conference. 

Despite only debuting in the 2018 edition of the tournament, PetroGazz banked on the leadership of Johnson and Salas to prove that an unlikely contender can dethrone the Alyssa Valdez-led Creamline Cool Smashers. 

“So we’re all new and I wanted to do everything I could to get the team to the goal which will get us to the championship,” added Johnson, who chipped in 23 points in the tournament. 

Wilma Salas was also a game changer for the team as she emerged as the Best Foreign Guest Player of the conference. 

 The Cuban import proved that she deserved the title after firing 30 points to lead PetroGazz past Creamline in the do-or-die Finals Game 3 on Sunday, July 14.  (HIGHLIGHTS: PetroGazz vs Creamline – PVL Finals 2019 Game 3)

“I feel so happy. I wanted to be here to win the league and now I go back to my country very happy,” said Salas. 

While the team and their beloved imports go their separate ways as the All-Filipino conference soon unfolds, PetroGazz head coach Arnold Laniog revealed that both Johnson and Salas have expressed their excitement to re-sign with the team next year. 

Even without the help of the imports in the 2019 PVL Open Conference, Laniog believed that the local players will be determined to compete as he has seen how much they have committed to extend the best-of-three Finals series. 

“Nagcommit na sila na whatever happens sa Game 2, ibubuhos na nila,” said Laniog. 

(They committed to give everything no matther what happens in Game 2.)

The PetroGazz Angels aim to land another title in the Open Conference that will kick off on August 10.  – Rappler.com