CANDON CITY—For Brooke Van Sickle, playing in her ancestral home of Ilocos Sur wasn’t just another game—it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. On Saturday night, that dream took center stage as the Petro Gazz star led her team to a commanding straight-set victory over Farm Fresh in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the packed Candon City Arena.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment to be able to come here,” Van Sickle shared, her eyes glistening with emotion.
Before stepping onto the court, Van Sickle made a sentimental detour to San Emilio, her family’s hometown, a journey that further deepened her connection to her roots.
“I just wanted to see how it was because my grandpa would always tell stories about how much he misses this place,” she said. “Unfortunately, he couldn’t come because of health concerns, but I can’t wait to bring the pictures to him. I’m very excited.”
And it showed. Van Sickle delivered a stellar performance, racking up a game-high 20 points to power the Angels to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 triumph over the Foxies.
Playing in front of family for the first time in her ancestral province brought a whirlwind of emotions for Van Sickle. The pressure to perform, coupled with the pride of representing her heritage, was palpable.
“At first, it was a little stressful because, with them being here, there were high expectations,” she admitted. “It took a little bit for me to mellow out, but my teammates helped me very much with that.”
Her family’s presence was a source of both inspiration and comfort. They traveled eight hours to witness her homecoming, a gesture Van Sickle deeply cherished.
“I’m very grateful. For them to come all this way to support me and to show me around—it’s super great. I feel lots of love,” she said.
The atmosphere at the Candon City Arena was electric, with fans filling the venue to cheer for their hometown star. Their energy fueled Van Sickle throughout the match.
“It’s amazing. Outside, it’s an electric feeling. Everyone’s high-energy and so loud, you can hear them from here,” she said, a smile lighting up her face. “It was awesome just to be able to play here.”
For Van Sickle, this wasn’t just a game; it was a full-circle moment.
“It’s like full circle for me because my grandpa grew up here, went to high school here. I got to visit San Emilio yesterday, and it was really cool to see where my grandfather and my mom used to stay,” she said.
Van Sickle hopes the experience serves as a source of motivation as the team embarks on the long five-month campaign ahead.
“At first, coming here, knowing my family is from Ilocos Sur, it was already fulfilling. Now that I’ve played here and experienced the people and the beauty of this place, it adds more motivation for me,” she reflected.
“Just to be able to finally make that connection is really huge for me, and I’m very, very grateful.”
