Only identifying as a Filipina, Brooke Van Sickle is living the dream as she plays in the Philippines for the Petro Gazz Angels in the Premier Volleyball League.
It’s been about a year since Brooke Van Sickle arrived in the Philippines to play ball for the Petro Gazz Angels.
In that short span since, the Filipino-American spiker has proven time and time again why she is indeed one of the best current players in the Premier Volleyball League, as evidenced by her immediately winning a Conference MVP award.
Moving across the world to play professional sports is quite the adventure, but how was the decision truly was like for BVS?
In this edition of Off the Record, Van Sickle opens up on adjusting to life in the Philippines and how she has enjoyed her life in the country so far.
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One Sports: Brooke, how acclimated would you say you are here in the Philippines?
Brooke: You know during games, there’s aircon, so it’s not that bad. That’s okay. I would say like practice times, it can be a little hot sometimes, but I’m acclimating pretty well.
I’m an on-COS girly now, with my sweatpants and my jackets and everything, so I feel like I’m acclimating kind of okay.
(If given the chance, Brooke Van Sickle will gladly don the Alas Pilipinas jersey)
One Sports: We know that you’re a beach person. Have you gotten to visit any beaches here in the country?
Brooke: No, I haven’t been able to. I haven’t gotten to the beach in a long time. In my last break, I just went to Japan, so I won’t be able to see any beaches until hopefully December. That’s the plan at least.
I know a couple of my friends—I think one of my friends, Iris [Tolenda], from Capital1—she I think lives near a beach where her family is from, so maybe after the season we’ll go to the beach. So, we’ll see.
One Sports: Months have passed since you came to the Philippines, just how easy was it back then to say yes to playing here?
Brooke: Coming to the Philippines, it was a very easy decision just because growing up—back in the States, I only identify as Filipina.
Just knowing like my mom and my family are from here and everything was very cool for me to be able to come here and experience the culture for myself and really embrace it. It was a very easy decision. Playing here is a dream.
Even the imports from last conference, I was telling stories with some of them and I was just curious and I asked a couple of them like ‘Hey, where was your favorite place to play in the world?’ Everyone said here and I mean, they’re right.
I’ve been to places before and nothing’s like here, so definitely very grateful to have this experience. I would not trade anything for it.
(In the Philippines playing in the PVL, Brooke Van Sickle is right where she wants to be)
One Sports: Is playing for the national team still something you hope to do in the future?
Brooke: We’ll see. My thing is how I said before, I’ll just do what I’m told and if I get the opportunity to do any national [team] if it’s indoor or beach volleyball, I’ll be extremely grateful to even have the opportunity and to be suggested to do it.
I think it’s a fantastic opportunity and I would be so happy to be able to represent the Philippines. We’ll see [but] it’s not my decision.