Brooke Van Sickle is aware that winning a championship is never given to you for free. Grit, persistence, and unflinching resolve are the means by which they are earned. 

The Fil-Hawaiian star is aware that the real fight is just getting started as the Petro Gazz Angels advance to the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals.

Van Sickle now turns her attention to a new kind of challenge—maintaining the team’s sharpness and keeping healthy as the playoff grind heats up—after dominating the prelims with a nine-game winning streak.

As the squad moves into a crucial stage of the season, Van Sickle underlined the significance of preserving physical health and remaining aware of their bodies. She remarked on the rigorous schedule as the playoffs drew near, emphasizing the short turnaround time and the higher number of games in a shorter amount of time than in the preliminary stages. Players must pay close attention to their physical condition during this strenuous stretch in order to prevent injuries and sustain optimal performance.

Van Sickle acknowledged the unpredictable nature of this stage as the playoffs get underway, calling it “anyone’s game.” She emphasized that despite the increasing pressure, the team must remain composed and focused. According to her, overcoming the obstacles that lie ahead would require a strong sense of togetherness, confidence, and teamwork.

She also emphasized the tension that is unavoidable at the end of the season, particularly in games with big stakes. Van Sickle, though, urged her teammates to welcome the pressure instead of avoiding it. She thinks that the difficult times present worthwhile lessons and chances for development. The squad may reach its full potential and aim for postseason success by remaining resilient, growing from every setback, and keeping moving forward.

At the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, the Angels decisively defeated Nxled in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14, and 25-17, to end the preliminary round. MJ Phillips contributed 14 markers, including nine attacks, three aces, and two kill blocks, while Van Sickle led the charge once more with 17 points, 15 of which came from assaults.

Petro Gazz’s victory tied Creamline’s record of 10-1. The Angels had to face No. 11-ranked Capital1 in the qualifying round after settling for the No. 2 seed owing to a poor set ratio.

Van Sickle is still hopeful about Petro Gazz’s prospects going ahead, even though the team did not qualify as the top seed. As they approach the most taxing portion of the tournament, she thinks the team’s consistency throughout the season will be essential.

Van Sickle expressed delight in her team’s tenacity and consistency while reflecting favorably on their performance in the earlier stages. Throughout the regular season, she emphasized how the team maintained a high level of play and remained resilient despite lineup changes. As they enter the playoffs, finishing with just one loss was a huge accomplishment and a huge confidence boost. For Van Sickle, the team’s success went beyond simply winning games; it also involved creating a sense of momentum and vigor that they intend to maintain throughout the postseason.

She is still well aware, though, that the playoffs provide a new degree of pressure and competition. Even though they are valuable, the accomplishments of the regular season no longer ensure success. “It doesn’t matter that we won 10 games now that the playoffs are here—it’s essentially a fresh start, and everyone is vying for the top spot,” she said. This knowledge emphasizes how important it is to maintain discipline and concentrate in the days before the important games.

Van Sickle emphasized the value of preserving a robust training environment and emphasized the significance of regular practice for their ongoing success. During the conference, she commended the team’s work ethic and underlined the importance of continuing to build upon it. She clarified that every practice session is a chance to develop, get better, and psychologically get ready for the challenges that lie ahead.

She thinks it’s important to embrace the pressure as the squad advances. Navigating the playoffs and aiming for the end result will require us to take each repeat seriously and hold one another accountable.