Petro Gazz Angels star Brooke Van Sickle in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Brooke Van Sickle encouraged the Petro Gazz Angels, whose players have been hit by health issues in the past week, to keep going amid losing three straight games in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Petro Gazz’s ‘three-peat’ drive started with a three-game slump after it absorbed another tough 25-19, 25-19, 25-22 loss to unbeaten Cignal despite the 28-point effort of Van Sickle on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
The Angels’ chances of making it to the top three of Pool B are getting slimmer with a 1-3 record as they will likely face the top three teams in Pool A, currently led by PLDT, Creamline, and Chery Tiggo.
READ: SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
It would be a tougher road for Petro Gazz but the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP remains optimistic.
“Going off with three losses it’s not what we wanted. Gotta take those lessons, we gotta learn fast because you know, the pool play is almost over and there’s a sense of urgency how we’re putting ourselves into a situation where ‘Okay we’re making it harder for ourselves,” said Van Sickle after pouring in 25 kills and three blocks on top of 10 excellent receptions and nine digs.
“We just gotta stay optimistic, it is what it is. We just have to accept how it’s been going and just keep trying to improve. For me, that’s all we can do. I think we’ll be good. We’ll continue to keep fighting and everything,” she added.
The Filipino-American spiker admitted that most of her teammates have been under the weather since their losing streak started against an upset loss to Capital1 last week and also missing MJ Phillips and KC Galdones due to injuries.
“Everyone’s different with how their bodies react, and how sickness affects people differently. For me, I was okay. Yeah, we got hit pretty hard. I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is, it took out the whole team,” she said. “I would say we’re good now. [We’re in a situation that] ‘It might be a tough environment. But let me try to get mentally tough or try to be just the best player I can possibly be.’ I feel like a lot of the girls are taking that route. We’re just doing the best we can.”
Van Sickle admitted that losing isn’t fun but it’s part of the sport, putting a premium on their learnings every game and training as she stressed that “the league’s getting better as every conference goes on.”
“It’s just PVL is getting better and better, and all these girls are improving. The teams are just getting good. So we just have to stay open-minded, stay optimistic, and continue just to keep pushing as a team,” the Petro Gazz star said.
“I think we’re doing a good job being cohesive and we’re just going to keep pushing. And hopefully, the results are different so that’s all we can do. Let’s keep trying.”
The Angels hope to end their slump against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Tuesday next week before heading to the second round.