Petro Gazz has turned its Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference campaign around with a stunning resurgence, winning four consecutive games to secure a spot in the knockout quarterfinals. After a rocky start with a 1-3 record, the Angels have found their rhythm, defeating key opponents like Choco Mucho, Creamline, PLDT, and Chery Tiggo to clinch the sixth seed.
Central to their revival is the return of Wilma Salas to top form. The 6-foot-2 Cuban spiker, who was instrumental in the Angels' 2019 Reinforced Conference championship alongside the late Janisa Johnson, has shaken off early-season conditioning issues to become a driving force for her team.
“I think in 2019, we had good imports, but this year we have even better ones. I think this makes winning more difficult,” Salas said after leading her team to a decisive three-set win against Chery Tiggo on Thursday.
With the Angels now set to face the third-seeded Creamline Cool Smashers in the quarterfinals, Salas emphasizes the importance of maintaining their winning mindset. The matchup is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“We should go to the court to fight and go to the court smiling, enjoy the game every time. I think this should be the point for Petro Gazz to win,” Salas said. “Yes, for sure, this game with Creamline, many people are waiting for this game. It’s difficult, but we go to the court to fight.”
In their preliminary encounter, Petro Gazz and Creamline delivered an intense five-set battle. The Angels took a 2-0 set lead before the Cool Smashers rallied to force a decider. In the end, Petro Gazz held firm to secure a 25-23, 25-19, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12 victory.
As the knockout rounds approach, Petro Gazz’s recent form and Salas’s leadership could be the keys to their quest for back-to-back championships.
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