Brooke Van Sickle and Alohi Robins-Hardy find home in Candon at PVL All-Star Showcase

The scoreboard told one story, but for Brooke Van Sickle and Alohi Robins-Hardy, the weekend in Ilocos Sur was about something deeper than volleyball.

Team Hustle fell short against Team Heart, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the much-anticipated return of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Star Game at Candon City Arena. 

Yet beyond the four-set battle led by MVP Bella Belen, the event became a meaningful homecoming of sorts for the Filipino-Hawaiian standouts—one defined by culture, connection, and community.

Van Sickle, who chipped in 11 points off the bench, found herself soaking in every moment—not just as a competitor, but as someone rediscovering her roots.

“Just having the crowd and the energy, and just seeing the players having fun, like loose, having officials join the game and it was just good, enjoyable volleyball, and all the teammates that I didn’t know, it’s so fun,” the three-time PVL MVP said.

“I was like telling Alohi, as the game is going on, my cheeks are hurting so much just from smiling so much. It’s a good experience and eye-opening to be able to see and understand the players even more.”

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Brooke Van Sickle and Alohi Robins-Hardy break down a fulfilling PVL All-Star Game experience, both on and off the court. #PVLAllStar #PVL2026 #SpikersTurf @spinph pic.twitter.com/zi9gplGAMm

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The smiles didn’t stop at the court. With family members in the stands—especially with ties tracing back to San Emilio—Van Sickle embraced the rare chance to play not just in front of fans, but in front of her roots.

“My pamilya, they came to support, they always come to support. It’s always nice to have family ties and everything so that’s also why I love coming here. It’s volleyball and everyone and they’re super excited to watch me, so again, the hospitality we’re always welcome here so it’s amazing,” she shared.

For Robins-Hardy, the experience unfolded in quieter but equally meaningful ways. The Farm Fresh rookie setter relished her time alongside Van Sickle, bonding over shared heritage while also immersing herself in Ilocano culture—especially through its food during their three-day stay in Candon.

But perhaps the most lasting impact of the trip came away from the bright lights of the arena.

For Van Sickle, participating in a tree-planting activity at the EcoPark became the defining memory of her first All-Star appearance—an unexpected highlight that reshaped what the event meant to her.

“My best experience being in here is the planting of trees. It’s my first time doing it. It’s also nice to see that people are always giving back to the community and that’s the normalized thing here, so it’s really awesome to see, one step at a time, one tree at a time, and doing things for the planet. So we’re doing great things here.” Van Sickle said. 

“It’s like awesome to be able to get outside and smell fresh air and the birds, so it’s always good. Love the province life.”

In the end, the All-Star Game became less about which team won and more about what the players gained. For Van Sickle and Robins-Hardy, it was a reminder that volleyball can be a bridge—not just between teammates, but between identity, heritage, and the communities that welcome them home.

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