Brooke Van Sickle’s birthday celebration turned into a night of redemption, resilience, and reunion as Petro Gazz rekindled its winning form to keep its semifinal dreams alive in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
The reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP got exactly what she wished for — a Petro Gazz bounce-back — as the Angels dominated ZUS Coffee in Game 2, sweeping the Thunderbelles, 25-19, 25-13, 28-26, at the Ynares Sports Center on Saturday night. The emphatic victory not only avenged their tough Game 1 loss but also set up a winner-take-all Game 3 for a coveted semifinal slot.
“My birthday wish was for the team to come out and play as themselves, just to have good energy,” said Van Sickle, who turned 27 in style. “I told them after the last game that if we play our game, fight hard, and still end up losing, I’d still be proud of this team.”
But the night held even more meaning for Van Sickle. Watching from the stands were her biggest supporters — her parents, Gary and Lisa, who flew in from Hawaii to witness her special day and cheer her on. Their presence proved to be the emotional boost she needed, fueling her determination to help Petro Gazz stay in the fight.
“It’s huge. They only come once a year, so I’m not really used to having them around,” she admitted. “Normally, if we lose a game, I come home, and when I try to call my parents, they’re already asleep. So having them here is really special. After a tough game, when I’m at my lowest, it’s nice to have someone to lean on. Just having their support means a lot, especially during moments like this.”
Van Sickle made sure to deliver a performance worthy of the occasion, leading the charge with 17 points — 15 coming from attacks — while also contributing eight excellent digs to bolster the Angels' defense. Her energy and leadership on the court set the tone for Petro Gazz, which showed renewed confidence and cohesion compared to its sluggish Game 1 outing.
“I’m just really proud of the team,” she said. “We came out flat in Game 1, but for this one, we had a goal: to have fun and bring energy. I thought we did a great job of that.”
With momentum now on their side, the Angels are bracing for a fierce Game 3 battle against a ZUS Coffee squad that has already proven its ability to strike back. But for Van Sickle, the motivation is clear — her parents are staying to watch, and she wants to make the most of it.
“It’s gonna be a battle next game,” she acknowledged. “Like Coach Koji (Tsuzubara) said, this game is done, and now we have to focus on the next one. Everyone played really well, and I’m happy we were able to turn things around. But ZUS will keep fighting, so we have to be ready.”
Beyond the Xs and Os, Van Sickle understands that these moments — fighting for a shot at the semifinals while sharing the journey with her parents — are what make the grind worthwhile.
“Being able to bounce back and still have a chance to fight is amazing. I’m really happy my parents took the time to come watch me, and I’m glad they’ll be here for another game,” she said. “They’re my number one supporters. They coached me growing up, so having them here after that tough Game 1 was a huge comfort. Sometimes, after a rough game, all you need is a hug — and I’m grateful I have them here for that.”
