MANILA, Philippines – The PetroGazz Angels opened the Reinforced Conference of the Premier Volleyball League with a resounding three-set win over fancied Creamline, 25-22, 26-24, 25-22.
The Angels’ two imports, Cuban Wilma Salas and American Janisa Johnson, took center stage for PetroGazz as they scored 20 and 16 points, respectively. Despite standing only at a deceptive 5’6”, Johnson can sure get up in the air and smash home some powerful spikes.
The 27-year old-Johnson previously played for BaliPure during the 2018 Reinforced Conference alongside fellow American Alexis Matthews. The team finished sixth with a 4-9 record. She most recently played in France with the Beziers Angels (from September to May).
So from one Angels team to another; with this one, the PetroGazz version.
We caught up with Johnson a day before their next match against Banko Perlas on Wednesday, May 29 (at 5 p.m.), to talk about returning to the Philippines as well as her finding her way with her new team.
Q: How did you hook up with PetroGazz?
Johnson: One of my teammates from PetroGazz asked if I would be interested in playing for the team and shortly after, the manager asked the same. I was a fan of the team from what I remember playing against them last season so it was an easy “yes” for me.”
Q: How is the adjustment with your new team?
Johnson: I am doing great with this team. They’re a fun group of girls and we push each other to be the best players we can be.
Q: How was your adjustment this time around considering the heat?
Johnson: Yeah, this time around it was easier for me to adjust because I knew what I was coming into. Surprisingly, I have gotten used to the heat since dealing with it last season. I’m more prepared now and I realize I need to carry an umbrella with me no matter how sunny the weather may assume to be.
Q: How was it playing alongside Wilma Salas?
Johnson: I met her hours before the game, but her and I got along well. When we were on the court, there were no problems connecting with one another. It was so easy playing with each other that I forget she arrived literally the night before the game.
I understand her English, but often, she speaks to me in Spanish. And since I am half Hispanic, there aren’t any problems conversing.