ANTIPOLO — For her birthday wishes, Brooke Van Sickle hoped that Petro Gazz would put forth their strongest performance in Game 2 of their PVL quarterfinal series against ZUS Coffee on Saturday.

Operating seamlessly as a cohesive unit, the Angels responded emphatically with an overwhelming victory, securing a clean sweep of 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 after dropping their initial match.

“You won’t be able to coast through this one since we’re at a crucial part of the season where everybody is determined to win. The way things went in our last match means each team will have to choose whether they want to lead or follow. We definitely found ourselves being chased down in the previous game, which meant we needed to fight hard. It’ll be tight with lots of intensity, loud cheering, and full commitment from all players,” stated Van Sickle following her performance of scoring 17 points on her 27th birthday.

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz bounces back against ZUS Coffee, sets up tie-breaker

“As an athlete, this is exactly where we want to be, right here, where we yearn to compete—these intense games with all their tension. It’s quite cliché but true: diamonds are formed under immense pressure. This describes top-tier teams in the PVL; they thrive when pressured, staying composed yet formidable, ready for anything that comes their way. So, my challenge for our team at the upcoming match is simply to remain cool, calm, and focused,” she emphasized.

Van Sickle was equally motivated to perform well in front of her parents, Gary and Lisa, who assisted her in recovering from the disappointing Game 1 defeat.

“I’ve had my parents supporting me throughout my entire journey. It’s amazing to have them here in person, watching the game. This really matters to me since they rarely get to attend due to their busy work schedules,” she mentioned.

To recover quickly and keep playing is truly amazing, and I’m genuinely thrilled because they make an effort to come and see me. I’m glad they’ll be here for another match. They’re my biggest fans. I’ve had their support throughout, as they were my coaches when I was young. It feels great because following that tough Game 1, it’s wonderful to finally get a chance to embrace someone.

After securing victory in Game 2, the current PVL Most Valuable Player visited her parents and also spent some time with her fans, including her most dedicated supporter, Justine Grace Fronda—a educator hailing from Zamboanga.

READ: PVL: Myla Pablo states Petro Gazz showed insufficient aggression in their defeat

Petro Gazz aims for a spot in the semifinals on Tuesday with their must-win Game 3 against ZUS Coffee.

In her 27th year, Van Sickle aims high, drawing inspiration from a self-help book that opened her eyes. This read helped her understand that those who achieve the greatest success are often capable of tackling even the most tedious and monotonous tasks with full dedication, giving them their all despite the boredom involved.

“I sense that as a personal challenge for me regardless of my feelings, the day, or whatever else might be happening. Whenever I enter the courtroom, I aim to give it my all and strive to improve by at least one percent each day—not only in athletics but also in everyday life,” Van Sickle stated.

I simply wish to savor life, discover ways to uplift those surrounding me and bring joy to their lives, and occasionally remain calm and composed.