Three-time PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle. PVL Media Bureau/file
MANILA — Brooke Van Sickle shared Thursday her reflection on Petro Gazz taking a leave of absence from the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), even after taking the chip in the 2025 Reinforced Conference last November.
Van Sickle admitted the outcome was out of their control, but was just grateful the Angels' core stuck as a team in Nxled — most especially, they were "not forced."
READ: PVL: Nxled welcomes ex-Petro Gazz players Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo
The 5-foot-7 outside hitter joined the Angels in January 2024, and has brought them two crowns since then before they paused their PVL stint.
"It was very sad to hear the news, actually. Coming off a championship last conference to having a leave of absence, it was heartbreaking but understandable. We’re definitely keeping our spirits up and our we’re just really grateful that the core decided to stick together and by no means we were forced," said Van Sickle.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz takes leave of absence; Angels now free agents
"I know there were a lot of allegations being said but we kind of all, as players, like have a common goal that we make sure that the core sticks together and you know, continue to build something special, especially with the Nxled group like we think we can do that," she went on.
"It was all part of the plan, I guess. Things happen, it’s uncontrollable and you just gotta be optimistic and still hungry."
Nxled formally welcomed Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo, and Jules Tolentino to the fold, and will be under the tutelage of Italian coach, Ettore Guidetti.
"So far the practices have been super awesome, they’re very awesome. It’s just really awesome to be able to have an Italian coach and he has so much experience from around the world and to be able to bring that to the gym is awesome," said the three-time PVL MVP.
"I feel like this is probably the most prepared I’m gonna be for a conference, personally, just because of the amount of touches and just like the quality of practice is really good, especially all the girls are absolutely pushing each other in the gym so it’s really highly competitive so with that being said—yeah, our goal is to win."
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