Brooke Van Sickle raring for first international stint
Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle during a PVL quarterfinals game against ZUS Coffee.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Brooke Van Sickle looks forward to representing the Philippines through Petro Gazz when it plays in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Champions (AVC) League from April 20 to 27 at Philsports Arena.
As a player who has yet to play in international tournaments like the AVC, Van Sickle is eager to carry the flag with the Angels one of three Philippine clubs to compete in the country’s hosting of the continental meet alongside Creamline and PLDT.
For the reigning PVL MVP, who has expressed her enthusiasm to play for the Philippine team but has yet to transfer her federation from USA Volleyball to the PNVF, it’s an honor to play against top international clubs in front of a home crowd.
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“We’re very excited to represent the Philippines. It’s truly an honor. I never played in an international competition really before,” said Van Sickle shortly after forcing a rubber match with ZUS Coffee in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Saturday at Ynares Center Antipolo.
“I feel like this is gonna be really an eye-opener for me and really excited to see good volleyball and see how other teams play.”
Petro Gazz is in Pool B, facing Taipower of Taipei on April 21 and Hip Hing Women’s Volleyball Team of Hong Kong on April 22.
The Angels can tap one more import as Van Sickle and fellow Filipino-American MJ Phillips are considered foreign players due to their federation.
READ: PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle excited to play for Philippine team
But for now, Van Sickle’s focus is to lead Petro Gazz, which battles ZUS Coffee for the last semifinal ticket on Tuesday at the same venue in Pasig City.
“As of right now, yeah, we’re excited but we’re still in a conference, so I don’t want to get too excited and get too ahead of ourselves because we still have games to play,” Van Sickle said. “When this conference is over, then we can fully [prepare for it].”
“Hopefully, we have really good jerseys. I saw the designs,” she quipped.
