ARMED with angel wings wrapped around the late Janisa Johnson’s No. 10 placed on the left side of their jerseys, Petro Gazz passed its initial test yesterday, hoping it would reach the Promised Land of the tournament the Angels are dedicating to a fallen Angel.
With Brooke Van Sickle showing the way, Petro Gazz spoiled the debut of Zus Coffee with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 victory yesterday in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Van Sickle, the All-Filipino Conference MVP, notched 22 points, 11 digs and six excellent receptions for the Angels who zoomed to a fast start in Group B.
Petro Gazz returning import Wilma Salas also provided ample help wit 15 markers and 12 excellent receptions.
Skipper Remy Palma and opposite hitter Aiza Maizo-Pontillas combined for 13 for the Angels.
Johnson, who teamed up with Salas in Petro Gazz’s title triumph in 2019, succumbed to a long battle with colon cancer last May 24. She was 32.
“I am sad because of Janisa’s passing. I came to dedicate this conference to her, so every point, every decision we make on the team, we can think about Janisa,” Salas said.
Middle blocker MJ Phillips sat out the tiff for the Angels due to a left foot minor contusion.
“The team did a fantastic job. I’m just proud it’s our first game back and we were able to get things going,” the Fil-Am Van Sickle said.
“There are still things to work on but it’s looking good.”
The Thunderbelles played without top pick Thea Gagate. The 6-foot-2 middle blocker is currently with the Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team that is holed up in a training camp in Japan.
Japanese import Asaka Tamaru, who played for Kurashiki Ablaze in the last Invitational tilt, paced Zus Coffee with 17 points, eight receptions, and five digs, while Michelle Gamit and Jade Gentapa backed her up with seven markers apiece.