Brooke Van Sickle celebrated her Ilocano roots as Petro Gazz and Farm Fresh slugged it out in the PVL All-Filipino Conference held in the province Saturday.
ILOCOS SUR — On Saturday, Nov. 23, Brooke Van Sickle accomplished a long-time dream of hers since joining Petro Gazz earlier this year.
The former PVL Most Valuable Player finally had the chance to play in her home province of Ilocos Sur during the Angels’ sweep of Farm Fresh, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19, in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference at the Candon City Arena here.
Van Sickle, whose family hails from San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, felt a “fulfilling moment” as she stepped onto the taraflex.
With added motivation in the match, Van Sickle delivered another strong performance for Petro Gazz with 20 markers.
“Finally, to be able to play here, it was just a fulfilling moment. Now, I feel like it adds more motivation for me. Now, I know this place and how beautiful it is and the people, too,” Van Sickle said post-match.
“Just to be able to finally make that connection is really huge for me, and I’m very, very grateful.”
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Brooke Van Sickle plays in her territory as PVL action goes to Ilocos Sur on Saturday, Nov. 23. | Photo (c) PVL
A day before their game against the Foxies, the Fil-Am spiker got a chance to visit San Emilio, which is about a 45-minute drive from Candon City.
There, Van Sickle got to check out her mother and grandfather’s town — something she had hoped to do ever since she arrived in the Philippines.
“It’s like full circle for me, because my grandpa grew up here, went to high school here. I got to go to San Emilio yesterday and it was really cool to see where my grandfather and my mom used to stay and everything,” said Van Sickle.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment to be able to come here and just see how it was because my grandpa would always tell stories about how much he misses this place,” she added.
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Back in her first season in the league it was Van Sickle’s family that went all the way to Manila to watch her game.
Now, it’s the 26-year-old outside hitter’s turn to make her way up North, hoping it will be one of many trips in the near future.
“At first, it was a little stressful because them being here, there’s high expectations. It took a little bit for me to mellow out, but my teammates helped me very much with that,” said Van Sickle.
“I’m very grateful. They drove eight hours to come see my first game. To be able to come here and for them to show me around is super great for me. I feel lots of love,” she added.