Winning has always been the prime motivation for Janisa Johnson whenever she steps into the taraflex.
The native of Long Beach, California did this for Bali Pure-NU last season and she’s doing it for Petro Gazz this year.
But in the 2019 PVL Reinforced Conference finals, the Petro Gazz import has been brimming with passion in her play. And it is not just because of her will to win for herself, but also for her sisters-in-arms.
“For me, I’m doing this for the girls because a lot of them haven’t been in the Finals before.
“Because of that, they’re pushing me and I’m pushing myself for them,” she continued.
Having a much-needed push on her back, Johnson has been nothing short of spectacular.
The product of California State University-Long Beach averaged 21.5 points in the first two games — including 23 points built on 18 attacks, three aces, and two blocks to help her Angels overcome the Cool Smashers in Game Two that forged a winner-take-all match on Sunday.
But aside from carrying her teammates to the promised land, Johnson admitted that she has been drawing inspiration from one more thing.
As the 27-year-old spike disclosed, “Of course to win — that’s the motivation. But I know, there’s a lot of people against us because they are the defending champs and that’s what we want to prove people wrong.”
“Just because we are a new team, doesn’t mean that we don’t deserve to have the win.”
And the winning momentum is on the side of the Angels.
Reeling from a lethargic first set defeat, the Angels woke up from slumber and dispatched the reigning champion Creamline in the next three sets.
Still, despite having the tides in their favor with less than a day before Game Three, Johnson and the Angels have no other option but to find their next gear.
“I mean, the last time we beat them, they came back,” she recalled about their second round encounter last June 22.
“We have no choice but to be ready and I believe in my team.”
