With their backs firmly pressed against the wall, the Petro Gazz Angels, led by star Brooke Van Sickle, are leaving nothing to chance in their bid for a quarterfinals berth in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference.
The Angels' journey through the conference has been a rollercoaster.
After a disheartening start, losing three of their first four games, Van Sickle and fellow import Wilma Salas have ignited a resurgence.
Their inspiring performance has seen Petro Gazz win their last three matches, including two dramatic five-set victories against formidable opponents Creamline and PLDT.
Van Sickle, the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP, emphasized the urgency with which the team is approaching each match.
“Yeah, I would say it’s both. Our backs are against the wall, and I feel like we’re just taking it day by day, game by game. I’m really proud of the team; we’ve been able to pull off five-setters, and that’s really hard to do. It’s very stressful,” Van Sickle reflected on the team’s current state.
The pressure has been palpable, especially in tight games.
As Van Sickle put it, “When it gets to five sets, it can go either way. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. As an athlete, you want to play in these situations. Even though it’s stressful, you want to be in those environments because that’s what makes it fun. It makes the win a little bit special. But yeah, I would just say we’re fighting.”
In a pivotal match against PLDT, the Angels showcased their resilience.
After narrowly missing the chance to close out the game in the fourth set, Petro Gazz leaned on their powerful 1-2 punch of Salas and Van Sickle in the decisive fifth set.
With the score tied at 14, Salas delivered a crushing back-row attack, setting the stage for Van Sickle to seal the victory with a precise cross-court strike. This win was crucial, allowing the Angels to draw even with Capital1 for sixth place with matching 4-3 records.
Salas turned in a stellar performance, amassing 40 points with 36 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, alongside 21 excellent receptions. Van Sickle also made a significant impact, contributing 32 points and 10 excellent digs.
Van Sickle acknowledged the significance of the match against PLDT and the team’s determination to secure their spot in the next round.
“Yeah, I would just say going into it, everyone knew how important this game was for us to be able to make it to the next round. So we knew we had to fight,” she said.
The 26-year-old Fil-American spiker focused on her role both offensively and defensively, striving to keep the team cohesive.
“I just tried to stay calm, doing everything I could, whether that was hitting or defense, just anything I could provide. I focused on helping the team stick together, and I feel like we did a really good job being cohesive. Yeah, I would just say, just focusing,” she added.
As the Angels continue their quest for a quarterfinals berth, Van Sickle’s leadership and the team’s renewed momentum could well prove the key to their success in the remainder of the conference.
