In a thrilling showdown at the Philsports Arena, the Petro Gazz Angels soared to victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, breaking their seven-game winning streak in the opening match of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference round-robin semifinals.
At the heart of this triumph stood the formidable presence of Brooke Van Sickle, whose vow to maintain aggression proved pivotal in securing a four-set win for her team.
Van Sickle, the 26-year-old Filipina-American outside hitter, showcased her prowess with an outstanding performance, tallying a game-high 21 points.
Her arsenal included 18 powerful attacks, two well-timed blocks, and a crucial ace.
Beyond her offensive prowess, Van Sickle demonstrated her defensive finesse with 12 excellent digs and eight impeccable receptions throughout the match.
Reflecting on her strategy, Van Sickle emphasized the importance of maintaining an aggressive mindset in the face of formidable opponents.
"Coming to the next game, (I’ll) just try to stay aggressive. And I feel like every player that steps on the court – everyone wants it, everyone wants to win, everyone’s aggressive... Like I need to match that and continue to put full effort and a hundred percent swing every single time," she asserted.
Despite her stellar performance, Van Sickle remained critical of her own errors, recognizing the unforgiving nature of the semifinals stage.
"These teams are very scrappy, they’re very good at defense, and they’re gonna put up a fight, and I feel like I made a decent amount of errors today. It is what it is," she admitted, highlighting the need for precision and focus in upcoming matches.
As Petro Gazz claimed the number one spot after the first day of the semifinals, Van Sickle emphasized the team's collective determination to maintain their momentum.
"We just have to make sure that we continue to focus on our side and take care of our business. When we all come together and very collectively just like ‘okay, this is what we’re gonna do’ and continue to push," she affirmed, underscoring the team's unwavering resolve to pursue greatness."
