A win for fallen teammate

MANILA, Philippines — This one’s for Janisa Johnson.

Wilma Salas and the Petro Gazz Angels turned back a feisty Zus Coffee in a 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 victory in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena that they wholeheartedly dedicated to their fallen teammate, who passed away due to cancer recently.

“I came to dedicate this conference to Janisa. Every point, we can think about Janisa for sure,” said the Cuban spiker, who had 15 points on her first game since she and Johnson powered the franchise to the first of its two Reinforced crowns five years back.

Brooke Van Sickle, the All-Filipino Conference MVP who is sporting the same jersey number 10 that Johnson wore, likewise honored the late Finals MVP.

“Everything I heard about her is just wonderful things and we have the same number. So I hope we can continue to play hard in honor of her,” said Van Sickle, who unleashed a match-best 22 points.

The win wasn’t as everybody expected from the tournament favorite as it ran into the hard-fighting Thunderbelles, who have brought in a much-improved roster compared to the ones that failed to win a single match a conference ago.

In fact, Petro Gazz had to fight back from four-point deficits in the second set and nearly blew a 10-point edge in the third before regaining composure at the end of both sets.

Petro Gazz’s sluggish start could be attributed to Salas still in the process of adapting to Petro Gazz coach Koji Tsuzurabara’s system since she arrived less than a week ago. Then there’s the absence of MJ Philips due to a left ankle injury and Myla Pablo (under the weather).

Salas vowed to improve as the tournament progresses.

“I need time. For sure I can be better in the future,” she said.

Later, Iva Lacsina and Oluma Okaro combined for 36 points as Akari bested Capital1 Solar, 25-18, 27-25, 22-25, 25-14, to likewise open its campaign on a bright note.

Russian Marina Tushova was good as advertised with 20 points but her effort was not enough to prevent a Solar Spikers defeat.