Playing for Janisa Johnson, Petro Gazz debuts with rout of ZUS

Brooke van Sickle leads Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Brooke van Sickle leads Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

With the return of the Reinforced Conference in the PVL this season, there is some pressure and at the same time added motivation for two-time defending champion Petro Gazz.

“We did a good job last [conference] and there’s definitely pressure for sure this conference cause [we’re champions] back-to-back in the Reinforced,” Brooke Van Sickle, the MVP last conference, said after helping the Angels sweep rebranded ZUS Coffee, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21, on Thursday.

“There can be pressure, but we just gotta take it day-by-day and make sure to just stay calm and … try our best,” Van Sickle went on after dropping 22 points on the Thunderbelles. “At the end of the day, if it doesn’t happen, at least [we’ll] be happy with our performance and [have] no regrets, basically.” With a familiar face in Wilma Salas reinforcing them, the Angels are also playing for a departed teammate in Janisa Johnson, who together with Salas helped Petro Gazz to its first title in 2019.

Johnson, who lost her battle to colon cancer just over two months ago, was the Finals MVP in that conference while Salas was the Best Foreign Guest Player after outlasting Creamline in the Finals.

The number 10

Lindsey Vander Weide, now playing in the more lucrative European league, led the Angels to the crown in 2022, the last time an import-flavored conference was played.

“Well for sure sad, because Janisa is not here in this life. I came to dedicate this conference to Janisa so every point, every game, we think of Janisa,” Salas said. “[I miss] her amazing smile every time. I missed it so much about JJ because she pushed and she is very smart. I miss her so much.”

Along with Salas, who chipped in 15 points, the entire team wore Johnson’s number 10 on their uniform. Incidentally, Van Sickle wears that number now and by all accounts, is giving justice to it.

“I felt like it was very right, all the teammates who ever played with her, everyone was onboard with it and I think it was a wonderful decision by management to show that support and everything. Prayers out to her and her family,” Van Sickle said.

Van Sickle, unlike in her debut in the All-Filipino Conference where she struggled to shake off the jitters, immediately made her presence felt as the Angels also announced their readiness to defend by giving the Thunderbelles zero chance of an upset.

Still, the game dripped with emotion as the Angels made it known that it played for Johnson. “I personally wasn’t able to meet her, but everything I’ve heard was just wonderful things. Everyone has so much love for her. We actually met one of her best friends (Malina Terrell who tried out for Petro Gazz) a couple of weeks ago,” she added.

“Birds of the same feather flock together, the friend was amazing, so I’m assuming [Johnson’s] just as amazing, too,” Van Sickle said. “I wish I could have been able to watch her play and play with her, but I’m happy to be able to be wearing the same number and hopefully I can continue to play well and get that win for her. So we’ll try.”