PVL: Wilma Salas thankful despite missing ‘three-peat’ with Petro Gazz

Petro Gazz import Wilma Salas.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Wilma Salas remained grateful for her second stint with Petro Gazz despite missing the chance to complete a rare “three-peat” in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Salas and the Angels kissed their title hopes goodbye after getting swept by the Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18, in the knockout quarterfinal on Tuesday evening at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Cuban import, who conspired with Brooke Van Sickle with 18 points each, was gracious in defeat, accepting their fate in her second PVL stint since steering the club to its breakthrough title in the 2019 Reinforced Conference.

READ: PVL: Creamline knocks off Petro Gazz, books semis

Wilma Salas will fly to Italy next. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/sD7aNNiOM7

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 27, 2024

“We [went] to the court [to] try everything. It didn’t happen, but this is life. This is [volleyball]. I don’t feel bad because I know we tried [to fight for] every point,” said Salas. “I only want to say thank you to Petro Gazz, thank you to my team, thank you to all the girls.”

The 33-year-old spiker had a rough start in her return trip to the PVL as she and the Angels fought through illness caused by the flu season, suffering a 1-3 start.

But she found her groove with her new-look team winning four straight games to end the elimination round including her new PVL career-high 40 points to beat PLDT two weeks ago.

Although her second stint ended up with a sweet revenge from rival Creamline, the former PVL Best Foreign Guest Player was in awe of the league’s development with new imports and rising local stars. But her focus all along was to gel with her new-look squad under Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara.

“This conference, I feel it [reached another] level,” said Salas. “About my team, I think we can try to do everything with the team every time. The more important for me is this feeling with the team.”

READ: PVL: ‘Staying together’ motivating Wilma Salas, Petro Gazz resurgence

Salas, who tallied a total of 171 points off 158 attacks, nine blocks, and four aces, is headed to Italy for her next stint.

She may have missed a chance to complete another historic achievement for Petro Gazz and win it all for late teammate Janisa Johnson but she had another PVL campaign to remember, wishing all the best for Petro Gazz in the All-Filipino Conference.

“I go directly to Italy for I have my team in Rome, the third division in Italy. I have all the responsibility now immediately. I continue to play,” Salas said. 

“For sure, my heart is with Petro Gazz. And I trust Petro Gazz for this next conference. Take the gold, for sure.”