For the longest time, Wilma Salas has considered Petro Gazz her home.
Teaming up with American outside spiker Janisa Johnson, they formed a formidable 1-2 punch, powering the young Angels to their first-ever championship in the 2019 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.
The 6-foot-2 Cuban opposite spiker developed a strong bond with the management and players – and especially with her fellow reinforcement, Johnson, during her brief tenure with Petro Gazz.
This connection is why she holds Petro Gazz dear as her home.
To Salas, Petro Gazz was not just a team but a family. And Johnson was more than a teammate – she was a sister.
Five years later, the 33-year-old veteran returned to the Angels for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. And she carried with her memories of the time she shared with Johnson, who passed away last May following a long, painful battle with colon cancer.
She vowed to honor her late friend every step of the way.
“Well, for sure it’s sad because Janisa is no longer here in this life. I came back to the league in this conference for Janisa. So every point, every game, we think of Janisa,” said Salas.
The former PVL Best Foreign Player did just that in her first game back with Petro Gazz, helping the defending champions secure a straight-set victory over ZUS Coffee for a winning debut on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
Salas finished with 15 points alongside 12 excellent receptions for the Angels, who also honored Johnson by incorporating an angel wing wrapped around her No. 10 on their jerseys.
“I feel happy to come back to the Philippines. Every time I say Petro Gazz is like my home, my family, so I’m very excited about this conference,” she expressed.
“I have only four days with the team, training with the team, so I’m sure I will improve every day in practice and every game.”
