“Heartbreaking but understandable”: Brooke Van Sickle opens up on Petro Gazz’s PVL absence

Filipino-American outside hitter Brooke Van Sickle has firmly established herself as one of the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) most dominant forces in recent years. Her explosive scoring, elite all-around skillset, and consistency with the Petro Gazz Angels have elevated her to the status of arguably the best player in the country today.

Van Sickle played a pivotal role in Petro Gazz’s recent championship run, helping the Angels capture both the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference title and the 2025 Reinforced Conference crown. Over the past two seasons, her performances earned her a long list of accolades: two Best Outside Hitter awards, three Conference MVP trophies, and the league’s first-ever PVL Most Valuable Player award in 2025.

Despite this run of success, Petro Gazz management made the shocking decision to take a leave of absence from the PVL—a development that left players free to join other clubs. The news stunned the volleyball community and deeply affected the athletes who had built the Angels into a perennial contender, including Van Sickle herself.

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“It was very sad to hear the news, actually. Coming off a championship last conference to having a leave of absence, it was heartbreaking but understandable. We are definitely keeping our spirits up and we’re just really grateful that the core decided to stick together and by no means were forced,” Van Sickle said.

ALL IN TO WIN 🦎🏆

Reigning MVP Brooke Van Sickle says her goal is to win, highlighting Nxled’s mix of young and veteran players and sharing her excitement about building something special with familiar faces from Petro Gazz in the #PVL2026 All-Filipino Conference.#OSOnTheSpot pic.twitter.com/LVkrfayf2c

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) January 15, 2026

“I know there were a lot of allegations being said but we kind of all, as players, like have a common goal that we make sure that the core sticks together and you know, continue to build something special, especially with the Nxled group like we think we can do that. It was all part of the plan, I guess. Things happen, it’s uncomfortable and you just gotta be optimistic and still hungry,” she added.

With Petro Gazz stepping away from competition, the league suddenly found itself with several sought-after free agents—and Nxled Chameleons acted swiftly. Van Sickle headlined the list of big-name signings, but she wasn’t alone. Nxled also brought in two-time Finals MVP MJ Phillips, former PVL MVP Myla Pablo, and rising setter Jules Tolentino, last year’s 11th overall draft pick.

The result? Nxled effectively absorbed the backbone of the once-dominant Petro Gazz core, instantly transforming the team from a lower-table squad into a legitimate contender.

“So far the practices have been super awesome, they’re very awesome. It’s just really awesome to be able to have an Italian coach and he has so much experience from around the world and to be able to bring that to the gym is awesome.

“I feel like this is probably the most prepared I’m gonna be for a conference, personally, just because the amount of touches and just like the quality of practice is really good, especially all the girls are absolutely pushing each other in the gym so it’s really highly competitive so with that being said — yeah, our goal is to win,” Van Sickle concluded.

With Van Sickle leading the charge and surrounded by a lineup filled with MVPs, Finals stars, and championship-tested veterans, Nxled’s dramatic roster overhaul feels less like a rebuild and more like a declaration of intent. As the PVL enters the 2026 season, the Chameleons are no longer just aiming to improve—they are positioning themselves firmly in the championship conversation.

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