PVL: Wilma Salas, Angels brace for ‘difficult’ duel vs Creamline

Petro Gazz Angels’ Wilma Salas in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Wilma Salas and Petro Gazz are bracing for a tough quarterfinal game   against 2019 Finals rival Creamline in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference

The showdown set for Tuesday is a rematch of the 2019 Reinforced Conference finals between the Angels and Cool Smashers, this time with the returning Cuban import seeking to extend Petro Gazz’s dynasty and win it for late teammate Janisa Johnson.

“With Creamline, many people are waiting for this game. It’s difficult, but we go to the court for a fight. We go to the court for everything. We have more [confidence] with the younger players now [after a slow start],” said Salas after pouring in 21 points in their 25-20, 25-16, 25-12 win over Chery Tiggo on Thursday to seal the sixth place.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference quarterfinals

Creamline placed third, 6-2, in the preliminary round, even without the trio of Tots Carlos, Alyssa Valdez, and Jema Galanza, while Petro Gazz had to overcome a 1-3 start before winning four straight games heading to the quarters.

“We go to the court for a fight. We go to the court to smile and enjoy every time,” said Salas, who scored a total of 74 points last week including a career-high 40 points against PLDT. 

“I think this is the key point every time for Petro Gazz to win [a game]. And we know now that the last part is more important. We will put everything in the court, more than this second round, for sure.”

From winning the championship — Petro Gazz’s first in 2019–the former Best Foreign Guest Player believes a lot has changed with PVL with  the quality of the game leveling up with talented impots and locals.

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

“I think in 2019, we had [another] good import [Janisa], but I think this year we have better imports. This is the difference. I think it’s more difficult for you win,” said Salas.

Petro Gazz has a different crew from the 2019 squad with Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng, and Ivy Perez being the lone holdovers, and coach Koji Tsuzurabara taking charge of MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Remy Palma, Ethan Arce, Myla Pablo, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas.

But the goal remains the same for Salas, which is to win Petro Gazz’s third straight Reinforced championship for Johnson. 

“It’s more than special, this conference is dedicated to Janisa. Sometimes, I feel Janisa is in the court. I feel Janisa’s support [for] the team. So, for sure, we go to the court for winning for Janisa,” she said.