Petro Gazz stars Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, along with PLDT standout Savannah Davison, have announced their intention to switch federations and represent the Philippines in international competitions.
Their decision has sparked excitement and optimism within the Philippine volleyball community, particularly among fans and officials eager to see the national team thrive on the global stage.
Van Sickle, a Filipina-American with roots in San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, has quickly become a key player for Petro Gazz since joining earlier this year.
Her standout performances, including helping secure the 2024 PNVF Champions League title and earning Tournament MVP honors, have made her a sought-after addition to the national team.
Davison, a Filipina-Canadian, has been a consistent performer for PLDT, contributing to her team's success in recent conferences.
Phillips, who has been playing in the Philippines since 2017, brings experience from representing the country in previous tournaments.
Despite her affiliation with USA Volleyball, she is eager to make the switch and contribute to the growth of Philippine volleyball on the international stage.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is actively facilitating the federation transfer process for Van Sickle, Davison, and Phillips.
Paperwork is underway to ensure their eligibility for future competitions, with an official decision expected by June.
“May Philippine passports (sila), but ang registration nila is with their previous country of origin. I think Davison is with Canada, si Van Sickle and Phillips are with the U.S. ‘di ba? The three of them have agreed actually,” said PNVF Vice President and PVL President Ricky Palou.
“Pumayag na yung tatlo na lumipat sila to Philippine federation. So there’s only a window for that so yun ang hinahabol namin. By June, by June malalaman na natin.I think we should get a result by June, sometime in June may result na ‘yun,” he continued.
“If they’re allowed to change federations, we could put them in the pool for the national team.”
While the trio may miss the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup for Women, they could potentially debut for the Philippines in the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women's Challenger Cup.
This tournament, scheduled for July, serves as a qualifier for the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League.
The anticipation is high as the Philippine volleyball community eagerly awaits the arrival of Van Sickle, Davison, and Phillips in the national team fold. Their inclusion promises to bolster the team's competitiveness and raise the country's profile in international volleyball circles.
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