On top of finally winning an All-Filipino Conference title, Petro Gazz has another reason to be motivated in their latest PVL finals appearance.
The Petro Gazz Angels’ quest to rule the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference will go deeper than adding another title to their trophy case.
In their bid to finally conquer the all-local tilt, the Angels are dedicating their title chase to Brooke Van Sickle, their Fil-Hawaiian star who has been lighting it up since her arrival during the 2024 PVL season.
“Syempre po, sobrang happy na nakabalik kami sa finals. Actually for Brooke talaga ito eh, itong finals, kasi you can see naman na sa two conferences, grabe ‘yung ginawa niya! Kaya sabi nga namin nung team building, para kay Brooke itong finals na ito,” Pablo said after Petro Gazz clinched their finals ticket on Thursday.
Only a year into her PVL career, Brooke Van Sickle is already a one-time Most Valuable Player, and has firmly established herself as one of the league’s finest outside hitters through her explosive play and scoring prowess.
However, team success is yet to come for the 27-year-old, as podium finish in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference was followed by a bout with horrible injury luck during the succeeding Reinforced Conference.
“Especially from last conference, we had a lot of not-so-good moments, and I feel like that’s where we learned our biggest lessons, because we had to self-reflect as a team, and as individuals in order to learn from it. So I think that helped a lot, that even though it sucked at the moment, it has gotten us to where we are now,” Van Sickle herself reflected in a separate interview.
Van Sickle also confirmed Pablo’s story about the emotional team building activity, where she opened up about her aspirations to win her first PVL title.
“We had a team bonding before this conference, and I don’t know, everyone was just getting emotional, and I went up there, and basically, I did cry in front of my team and I was just basically saying how much I want a championship,” she said.
Given this, the Fil-Hawaiian star was least surprised with her team’s gesture, especially with how they have become a second family for her.
“There’s no drama, no chismis [between us]. So it’s just awesome to be able to open up emotionally to them and be very vulnerable with my team, and seeing their reaction from it is just amazing. Just to know that my my team’s got my back in that whole moment, it’s just like how I want to be for them.”
‘Different aura’
The current All-Filipino wars have been a show of force for Van Sickle and Petro Gazz, who went on a dominant 10-game winning streak after an early season loss to the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Save for that Creamline loss, and a quarterfinals upset by the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, the high-octane Angels have looked like a serious title contender throughout the six-month-long conference.
A major factor for this, Van Sickle said, is the added hunger she felt from the team in the leadup to this season’s All-Filipino wars.
“When I got here, everyone was doing their jobs, but I feel like this conference is different. When we entered the practice gym, I felt like everyone had a different aura and mindset to them, and we’ve just been pushing each other this whole time. Just non-stop picking each other up and helping spread words of affirmation, helping each other out,” the reigning All-Filipino MVP said.
“I feel like this conference, we got to, at least on my side, got to know all the girls better, building that team chemistry and family. I thought that helped a lot throughout the year and it’s just everyone’s mindset coming in,everyone wants it,” she added.
Now, Van Sickle and the Angels are a series away from conquering this season’s All-Filipino Conference, where a meeting with longtime rivals Creamline will serve as their final test for the elusive title.
Both teams will have a four-day break before Game 1 of their title bout, but Van Sickle admits that her excitement is already off the charts well ahead of first serve.
“You’re supposed to be stressed, you’re supposed to feel something, right? Like you’re supposed to have butterflies!” she said. “You’re supposed to be stressed, but you have to deal with it. That’s what makes it fun and exciting, right?”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.