PetroGazz’ Janisa Johnson goes up against Creamline’s Risa Sato and Jia Morado in Game 3 of the gold medal series of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo. POOL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Janisa Johnson knows a thing or two about the satisfaction of winning a championship and she wanted her teammates at PetroGazz to experience the same sensation she felt before.
Against league darling Creamline, Johnson led the Angels to their first title in the Premier Volleyball League with a Game 3 triumph, 25-15, 28-30, 25-23, 25-19, in the finals of the Reinforced Conference.
Johnson not only shared her championship mettle with the Angels, but she also shrugged off the pressure on her shoulders.
“It’s like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders and now I can just enjoy my time here because the pressure’s gone,” said Johnson Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“I was doing it for the girls because I know what it feels like to win a championship but the other girls don’t and so I wanted them to experience what I’ve experienced before.”
Johnson last played for Béziers, which is coincidentally called Angels, and she helped that team take the French Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2018.
It was also Béziers first title making this happy coincidence for Johnson a little bit more inspiring.
“The team [PetroGazz] had goals and that was to get to the championship,” said Johnson.
The 27-year-old spiker’s efforts not only led the Angels to their first PVL title, but she also nabbed the Finals MVP of the series.
“It’s a great feeling, and awards aren’t what I always try to get but when I do get it of course I’ll take it,” said Johnson after scoring 23 points in the decider. “It’s a great accomplishment.”