PNVF eyes addition of Van Sickle, Davison, Phillips to Alas Pilipinas
PVL players MJ Phillips Savi Davison and Brooke Van Sickle could represent the Philippines soon in international meets. –PVL/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation looks to add PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Savi Davison, and MJ Phillips to bolster the Alas Pilipinas program.
After last year’s plan to change the federation of the three Filipino-Foreigners didn’t push through, PNVF vice president and PVL chief Ricky Palou bared to Inquirer Sports that they are trying again to make them eligible for the women’s national volleyball team
Article continues after this advertisement“Me and Tonyboy (Liao) talked to them. We’re asking them if they are interested in joining the national team. If they’re really interested in joining the national team, we will work on transferring their federation from their respective countries to the Philippine federation,” Palou said in a phone call.
READ: Brooke Van Sickle, Davison, MJ Phillips start process to play for PH
Van Sickle, who is with USA Volleyball with her Petro Gazz teammate Phillips, expressed her commitment to play for Alas.
“I’ve been in conversations with the federation and everything. We are working on switching federations, hopefully, fingers crossed. I think it’s very exciting. If I get the opportunity, I’ll be super grateful and give my one hundred percent,” the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP said. “It just depends on if they want to go that route and if they do want me to join them.”
Article continues after this advertisementPalou said they are waiting for the commitment of Davison, who is registered in Canada’s volleyball federation, and Phillips.
“What we’re asking from them is commitment. Kung talagang seryoso silang sumali we will do that so now we’re just waiting for the reply,” said the PVL president.
“The other two we’re just waiting for them. Una sinabi nila interesado sila now we’re talking to them. We want their full commitment.”
READ: PVL: Davison relishes Van Sickle duel before much-needed break
Last year, the PNVF already looked to add the three Fil-Foreigners to the program but Palou said it didn’t push through after they didn’t make it to the transfer window.
“We’re telling them to let us know asap so we can do it habang nandiyan pa yung window for transfer of federation,” he said.
Despite the potential addition of Van Sickle, Davison, and Phillips, Palou stressed the importance of the program’s continuity, looking to build on last year’s core bannered by Jia De Guzman, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Angel Canino, Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, Sisi Rondina, Eya Laure, Jema Galanza, Fifi Sharma, and Thea Gagate, who delivered three bronze medals in the AVC Challenge Cup and two SEA V.League legs.
If it pushes through, Van Sickle of Petro Gazz and Davison are set to bring their scoring prowess to the young Alas team of Brazilian coach Jorge Souza De Brito, while former Korean league import Phillips fortifies the middle with her height and experience.