With everything on the line—and after witnessing firsthand what could happen—Petro Gazz stars Myla Pablo and Brooke Van Sickle made sure to keep their foot on the gas against Capital1 in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference qualifying round.
The new league format added a thrilling twist: despite regular-season rankings, a loss in this stage meant a trip to the play-in tournament, where teams would battle for the last two quarterfinal slots. The message was clear—no lead, no seeding, and no record was safe.
That message was already delivered in a stunning upset two days earlier when tenth-seeded Galeries Tower shocked third-ranked Cignal in four sets, 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19, to book a historic playoff berth. The HD Spikers, despite finishing the preliminaries at 8-3, were sent tumbling into the play-in.
Seeing that upset unfold, the Angels knew they couldn’t take any chances. They even held a meeting before their crucial match against the Solar Spikers, emphasizing the importance of starting strong.
“Well, kasi this game kailangan hindi ka pwedeng mag-relax. Kasi wala ring kwenta ‘yung winning games mo and top two ka kung matatalo ka this qualifying round,” said Pablo, a two-time league MVP.
“Sabi nga namin, hindi tayo pwede mag-start ng slow. Kailangan talaga tayo mag-start ng magandang energy sa loob ng court,” she added.
True to plan, Petro Gazz came out firing, but Capital1 refused to back down, pushing the first two sets to the limit. It wasn’t until the third frame that the Angels settled into their rhythm, relying on their chemistry and firepower to establish a commanding 16-10 lead and finally put away the feisty Solar Spikers.
For Van Sickle, the previous upset was more than just a result—it was a league-wide wake-up call. Echoing Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez’s sentiments, the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP emphasized that no team could afford to underestimate an opponent, regardless of seedings.
“In a way, it was a wake-up call. It was a reminder that it's anyone's game. It's the tournament now. It's top six, bottom six, whatever the tournament is. Now, again, like how I said, it's a do-or-die situation,” Van Sickle said.
“We have to take every point seriously and every team seriously. Everyone's going to be fighting. Everyone wants to win. It's just who has the more disciplined fight and who's on. It's going to be a battle."
Van Sickle led the charge with a game-high 19 points, tallying 15 attacks, two blocks, and two service aces. She also contributed nine excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions, showcasing her all-around brilliance. Pablo, meanwhile, delivered 17 points, 15 of which came from the attack line, proving once again why she remains one of the league’s most reliable scorers.
Even with an outright quarterfinal berth secured, Van Sickle reminded her squad that the ultimate prize—the championship—was still far from reach.
“I would like to say that we can't get too ahead of ourselves. The championship is the goal. But we have to focus on what's ahead of us. I don't know who we're going to play next. But we have to take that game seriously,” she stressed.
“Fight as much as we can. Take it game by game. It's easier said than done to win a championship. Everyone can say it's their goal and their wish. But we have to put in the work. I'm just really proud of the team. I feel like everyone's doing a fantastic job. It doesn't matter who it is. Everyone's stepping up. I'm really happy. I'm at peace right now.”
With the Angels now safely through to the next phase, their resolve remains unshaken. For Pablo, Van Sickle, and the rest of Petro Gazz, the path to the championship is paved with lessons learned, discipline honed, and an unwavering focus on what’s ahead.
