Petro Gazz digs deep to reduce Van Sickle’s minutes Magic Post

Brook Van Sickle during Petro Gazz Angels’ victory against Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

Petro Gazz discovered something important Tuesday night: The Angels don’t need to rely solely on Brooke van Sickle to succeed.

This is an important lesson to learn from this portion of the PVL All-Filipino Conference that is scheduled to run through April. This is the longest conference the league has ever held and it would be good for Petro Gazz to know that the rest of the Angels are still ready to step up to the plate.

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But the lesson was not easy. Petro Gazz had to muster all his strength and, even then, he had to rely on a sudden change in momentum to fend off a formidable Chery Tiggo team, 20-25, 20-25, 25-23, 25- 15, 15. -7, Tuesday evening at the PhilSports Arena.

“I’m super proud of everyone. I’m pretty sure almost the whole team played, it feels like it. And everyone brought great energy. It didn’t matter who was on the court,” Van Sickle said as she still finished with 10 points, including seven in the fifth set and 11 excellent digs despite playing off the bench in the first four sets.

Minor knee procedure

“We started off a little rough, but we came out (of the Christmas break). This is not an excuse. But Chery is a good team. I have the impression that (every time) we go (against) them,… (we go) five sets. So, I’m really very happy and proud of the team. We were able to understand it, get through the difficult times and work through it. So, I feel like we improved today as a team. So, I’m really happy,” she added.

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Van Sickle admitted to having minor surgery on his left knee after the Angels’ final game of 2024, hence the team’s precautionary measure.

“Me, the coaching staff and the management, we still have conversations every day to take stock of how I’m feeling… I just had a little cleaning for my knee but I feel a lot better now ” said the Filipino American forward.

“At first, it bothered me a little. But I feel really good now. Again, we always have constant communication. I’m happy with my teammates. I am happy with their performance. I’m happy everyone was able to play. It was a good match,” she added.

And with Van Sickle’s limited minutes, everyone had a chance to help the team and among those who rose to the challenge were veteran opposing forward Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and return-to-form Myla Pablo, who scored 18 points each.

Prove your worth

Nicole Tiamzon also held her own while Joy Dacoron and Ranya Musa, who is returning from injury, also kept their composure in the middle.

Pablo has continued to prove her worth since manager Koji Tsuzurabara returned her to the rotation and is playing a vital role in the Angels’ current 6-1 (win-loss) campaign.

And the Angels star used the marathon match as a platform to show what he can still offer.

“Coach Koji always reminds us what our job is on the field. I know Brooke won’t play yet (for most of the game),” Pablo said. “So I told Brooke and Jonah (Sabete) we have to work together to get (the victory).”