“I’m trying to learn how to be a better motivator”: Brooke Van Sickle admits she’s still growing into a leadership role with Nxled

The Nxled Chameleons leaned on composure, veteran leadership, and crisp execution in the closing moments to survive a gritty five-set showdown against the Farm Fresh Foxies, escaping with a 25-23, 13-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-12 victory in their opening match of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 3, at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan.

In a match that swung dramatically from set to set, the Chameleons showcased resilience and poise under pressure, steadying themselves after surrendering the second and third frames before reclaiming control in the final two sets. Nxled’s experience ultimately proved decisive, as the team capitalized on key runs late in the fourth set and executed cleanly in the race-to-15 decider.

All eyes were on three-time PVL Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle, who made her highly anticipated debut for Nxled and delivered an immediate impact. The Filipino-American star paced the Chameleons with an all-around effort, finishing with 20 points built on a balanced mix of power attacks, transition scoring, and floor defense. Her presence alone altered Farm Fresh’s defensive schemes, opening up opportunities for her teammates throughout the match.

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Fellow debutant Myla Pablo rose to the occasion with timely scoring and steady defensive work, ending the night with 19 points and six digs to earn Player of the Game honors. Pablo’s veteran composure was especially evident in the fourth and fifth sets, where her shot selection and court awareness helped stabilize Nxled during crucial stretches. Middle blocker MJ Phillips also played a key role, contributing 13 points while anchoring the net with consistent blocking and quick attacks.

Already regarded as one of the league’s premier talents, the 26-year-old Van Sickle has firmly established herself as the current standard-bearer in the PVL. With three league MVP awards to her name, she belongs to an elite class alongside Creamline Cool Smashers icons Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos, a testament to her sustained excellence and impact on the league.

NEW SHADE OF TEAMWORK 🦎

Brooke Van Sickle talks about adjusting with Nxled, citing the welcoming culture, strong system, and smooth integration of former Petro Gazz players ahead of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference | via Czarina Agaton/One Sports#OSOnTheSpot #PVL2026 pic.twitter.com/uX6YrLyMZA

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 28, 2026

While Van Sickle has already led the Petro Gazz Angels to two PVL championships, the star admitted that her transition to Nxled has also come with new personal challenges—particularly in her role as team captain. Speaking in a recent media interaction, Van Sickle acknowledged that leadership extends beyond scoring and on-court communication.

“I would always be vocal in terms of talking, but I wouldn’t be cheering my teammates on usually. That’s something I’m still kind of working on. I do talk, but I’m trying to learn how to be a better motivator and be a better, like, kind of not like a cheerleader, but be more motivating with energy. I’m trying to put that within my playing pool,” Van Sickle said.

Having competed in professional volleyball leagues across the globe, Van Sickle has drawn valuable lessons from her international experiences, particularly in how leadership manifests across different team cultures. For her, age is no longer a defining factor in setting expectations, as she believes accountability and professionalism should be universal within a roster.

“At this age in PVL, I don’t think really age matters. I think everyone should come in and, regardless of age, still be held the same standards and should expect the same results, same attitudes and everything.

“It does help that veteran players can teach the younger ones, but to me, it’s just better if you have young players that act and are like really mature and really sound. I think at Nxled, we have a lot of young talent that also carries themselves very well, especially on the court, so I’m very happy to be surrounded by such mature players,” she concluded.

With their opening win secured, the Chameleons not only announced their arrival as a composed and battle-tested unit but also offered a glimpse of a team still growing into its identity. As Nxled continues its campaign in the All-Filipino Conference, Van Sickle’s evolving leadership and the team’s blend of veteran savvy and young talent could prove pivotal in shaping a deep playoff run.

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