In the heart of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, the Petro Gazz Angels are proving to be a force to be reckoned with, thanks to the dynamic duo of Brooke Van Sickle and the hard-hitting Jonah Sabete.
After four intense games, it's clear that Sabete has seamlessly taken on the role of the perfect second fiddle to the Filipino-American star Van Sickle.
The Angels recently secured their second consecutive dominant win, overpowering Akari in straight sets (25-21, 25-23, 25-17), just one week after a strong performance against PLDT.
This victory propels them to a tie with the High Speed Hitters at the second spot with a 3-1 standing.
Van Sickle's stellar performance in the PVL reached new heights, as she scored an impressive 24 points with 18 powerful attacks, four aces, and two blocks, showcasing her versatility on the court.
Sabete, once again, proved to be the perfect complement to Van Sickle, contributing 12 points and showcasing her defensive prowess with four excellent receptions.
For Van Sickle, playing alongside Sabete has been a source of inspiration and motivation.
The former US NCAA standout expressed admiration for Sabete's fiery playing style, noting that her teammate's relentless effort pushes her to bring out her best.
"When it comes to Jonah, she's fiery, right? She gives her 100 percent at all times, and it's very cool to be able to play with her," said Van Sickle.
"Honestly, she just goes up there and smashes the ball so hard. It's very inspirational, so I'm like, 'Shoot, maybe I should hit the ball hard too.' She definitely inspires me for sure, and I believe in all my teammates. Anyone can make double digits every single game; they're fantastic players."
Sabete, a product of Bulacan State University, remains focused on putting in the work and contributing to the team's success.
Despite her solid performance, she acknowledges the need for improvement, particularly in the consistency of her attacks.
Sabete is determined to address this concern head-on, aiming to become an even more reliable contributor as the season progresses.
"Actually, when Brooke arrived, I told myself that I need to help, which is what has been happening to me in the last few conferences—I've always been there to help," shared Sabete.
"My teammates also know that if I'm put in, I'll step up and deliver. So the number one focus for me is the consistency in my attacks. That's what I'm working on, and Coach Koji is really pushing me in training, challenging me to improve."
