By: Ohmer Bautista
Petro Gazz import Wilma Salas has made a name for herself as one of the strongest hitters so far in the PVL Reinforced Conference Season 3.
With her lanky 6-foot-2 frame and the athleticism to boot, her airborne attacks can really pack a punch – something that Bali Pure libero Jewelle Bermillo and Grazielle Bombita can attest to.
When Petro Gazz led 9-6 in the first set, Bermillo absorbed the brunt of Salas’ might, as the Cuban national let loose a swing that went straight to the libero’s face.
“Sobrang lakas po as in,” Bermillo recalled, as she was seen struggling to stand up after the hard fall caused by the impact.
“Sobrang nahilo po ako after nun, di ko na alam.
“Gusto kong mag-timeout pero ‘okay di pwede’ balik ulit ako sa game. So kailangan ko ulit mag-recover kasi kailangan ako ng team,” Bermillo, who was the lone libero for Bali Pure, sighed.
Moments later, Bombita seemed to have received the same fate as Bermillo. But as she recounted the sequence, she disclosed that the ball never hit her face.
“Actually hindi naman siya na-facial. Dito [braso] ‘yun tumama,” she recalled.
For her part, Salas was quick to apologize after each incident, which she followed up during the post-game of Petro Gazz’s three-set win.
“I’m sorry about that.
“I tried to avoid hitting anyone. But I don’t care because it’s part of the game. Sorry,” bared Salas, who had 12 points and nine receptions.
Bombita also echoed Salas as she stressed that it is all part of the game.
“Part ng game ‘yun e,” she said. “Sabi nga ni coach [Rommel Abella] na kung ayaw niyo ma-facial, maglaro nalang kayo ng chess, ‘di ba?
“So, it’s normal para sa volleyball na tamaan ka sa mukha. Part ng game ‘yun e.”
