ONE-TWO PUNCH: Van Sickle, Phillips proud of Filipino heritage

Petro Gazz may have ended a two-year title drought, but for Most Valuable Players (MVP) Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference championship meant something far deeper than just a trophy.

The Angels stunned powerhouse Creamline in four sets, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, 25-19, on Saturday to claim their first All-Filipino crown since joining the league in 2018, and third overall title.

Their previous two championships came in the Reinforced Conference, making this win an emotional milestone for the team — and a personal victory for its top stars.

Van Sickle, who successfully defended her MVP crown after leading Petro Gazz with impressive stats to close out the conference, powered the Angels past the defending champions and halted Creamline’s bid for a fifth straight title.

Middle blocker MJ Phillips, who was named Finals MVP, reinforced Petro Gazz’s net defense in Game 3 with 15 points, including four kill blocks, while delivering consistent performances throughout the series.

Yet even as they stood atop the podium, the Filipino-American standouts couldn’t ignore the ongoing chatter questioning their place in the All-Filipino Conference due to their American descent.

Both Van Sickle and Phillips, however, made it loud and clear that they are Filipino — by blood and by heart.

“It is what it is. I’m here, and I want to represent the Philippines,” Van Sickle said.

“I am Filipino. I have a passport, and I got it on my own. But it’s okay. I don’t expect people to welcome us with open arms. I understand how they feel, and I just hope that one day, they’ll embrace us and accept us.”

The 26-year-old outside spiker, who traces her roots to Ilocos Sur, shared how meaningful it is to now be immersed in a culture she missed out on growing up in the United States.

“I don’t feel any hatred toward anyone. I wish the best for them. I just want to be able to play the sport I love and continue to immerse myself in this culture — our culture,” she added.

“I had years back in the States where I missed out on this, and I’m really grateful to be here now and experiencing it.”

Phillips, born in Carson, California but proudly Filipino through her late grandmother Rowena from Zambales, echoed the sentiment — fighting back emotions as she dedicated the championship and MVP honors to her loved ones.

“No words,” said the two-time PVL Best Middle Blocker.

“I try to ignore the comments because everything is honestly for my mom and my grandmother who passed away. Every time I look at the flag, I think of the Philippines. It’s all for my grandmother. May she rest in peace.”

Phillips was instrumental in all three games of the finals series, averaging 15.33 points to help Petro Gazz clinch the crown.