PVL: Wilma Salas back to lead Petro Gazz Angels’ three-peat bid

Wilma Salas returns to lead the Petro Gazz Angels’ bid for a third straight PVL Reinforced Conference crown.–TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Five years after leading Petro Gazz to its first-ever title, Wilma Salas is reunited with the Angels ahead of their three-peat quest in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference starting on Tuesday next week at Philsports Arena.

Petro Gazz on Wednesday evening welcomed back the Cuban Spiker, who last played in the 2019 Reinforced Conference and helped the team earn its maiden title.

The 6-foot-2 hitter won the Best Foreign Guest Player and led the Angels to a thrilling championship-clinching win over the Creamline Cool Smashers in Finals Game 3 with the late Janisa Johnson, who emerged as the Finals MVP.

READ: Cha Cruz-Behag returns to PVL as Petro Gazz assistant coach

The 33-year-old Salas, who holds a PVL career-high of 37 points, joined a new-look Petro Gazz under Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara with Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng, and Chie Saet being the lone holdovers of her previous team.

Salas teams up with reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, MJ Phillips, Remy Palma, and Myla Pablo.

After her PVL stint five years ago, Salas went to Poland in 2020 but suffered a knee injury.

She came back stronger, earning more overseas opportunities in Greece, Turkey, and Italy.

READ: Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle wins PVL MVP award

Petro Gazz, which successfully defended its Reinforced reign in 2022 with Lindsey Vander Weide, eyes a third straight championship in a 12-team competition.

The Angels, who finished with a bronze medal in the All-Filipino Conference, are grouped in Pool B with Choco Mucho, Cignal, Akari, Capital1, and ZUS Coffee.

They kick off their title quest against ZUS Coffee, which will pick Thea Gagate at No.1 in the Rookie Draft and bring Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru, on July 18 at Philsports Arena.