For the second time this year, Petro Gazz’s title drive revolved around the same unshakable pillars with the dynamic duo of Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips powering the Angels to another championship finish.
The teammates-turned-best friends leaned on the same chemistry and instinctive connection that had defined their year, guiding Petro Gazz to the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference championship at the expense of ZUS Coffee despite a turbulent start.
Van Sickle was the same all-around beast, while Phillips — arguably the team’s most consistent performer this conference — was reliable as ever. And their performances once again earned them the Conference and Finals MVP awards.
It was the very same pair of awards they respectively claimed when they steered the Angels to their first-ever All-Filipino crown earlier this year.
Yet their success wasn’t built on talent alone. It was reinforced by a friendship that had deepened over the past two years, sharpening their instincts and giving Petro Gazz a tandem impossible to rattle.
“I feel like it starts off the court, too,” said the soft-spoken Philips. “I mean, we constantly, I mean, we talk about volleyball a lot, guys. Like, as in a lot.”
“And I think that, I don’t know, we’re just always constantly in communication and, you know, she’s a yapper. I listen and I just think we gel,” she added.
Having Phillips by her side, especially during the toughest stretches, made all the difference for Van Sickle both on and off the court.
“Yeah, I’d say, like, definitely MJ’s my bestie and it’s really awesome to be able to play with her,” Van Sickle said.
“Because even when, like, through the ups and downs, like, I kind of always look at, like, look to her to help me in tough times. And, I mean, she’s always there for me outside of volleyball, inside of the court, everything,” she added.
“She’s just always such a good friend and always just uplifting me, no matter what. And it’s really awesome to be able to have a teammate like that because in crunch situations, it’s stressful. It’s stressful to be, you know, on the court, everything.”
Knowing Phillips’ character, Van Sickle said it’s reassuring to share the court with her, confident that she brings the same grit, determination, and all-out effort — just as she does — to do whatever it takes to secure the win.
“The stakes are high and to be able to look at, you know, my bestie girl here, it’s awesome to be able just to, like, know that she’s also locked in. She’s gonna work her butt off to be able to get the next point, get the next block, even the next dig,” she said.
“And it’s just, like, it’s just reassuring to have her as a player and also, like, an emotional support person. I do yap a lot. She’s, like, basically my free therapist. I pay her food sometimes. Sweet treats, maybe. But, yeah.”
