Brooke Van Sickle credited team captain Remy Palma for steadying Petro Gazz’s ship during its gritty victory over Akari in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The Angels displayed great resilience in the first two sets, which laid the foundation for their dominant win in the third. They sealed the match with a 28-26, 29-27, 25-18 victory at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday night.
Van Sickle praised Palma for her leadership, particularly in rallying the team during the challenging first two sets.
“I’m super proud of everyone. I feel like Rem [Palma] did a very good job collecting all the girls while we were on the court and just slowing us down,” said the reigning All-Filipino Conference MVP.
“At times, we were like ‘ahhh,’ and she’d say, ‘calm down, it’s okay, take a breath and just play our volleyball.’ I thought she did a fantastic job keeping the team together,” she added.
(C) PVL Images
The Angels overcame a 16-11 deficit in the first set and fought back in the second after a spirited run by the Chargers, saving five set points to win the intense battle.
With their confidence soaring following the hard-fought victories in the first two sets, Petro Gazz dispatched Akari with ease in the third, securing their third win in four matches.
“I thought everyone came out with really good energy. Everyone’s smiling, it was good vibes. Akari came out with fire and grit as always, and they did a great job. It was a fantastic battle, good volleyball,” said Van Sickle, who led the team with 19 points.
Palma, for her part, expressed gratitude for her teammates’ persistence and faith, especially during crucial moments.
“Na-appreciate ko lahat ng teammates ko na ‘di kami nawalan ng pasensya sa kapitan [‘yung laro]. ‘Yung first and second set na hinabol namin ‘yung lamang ng kalaban, hindi kami nawalan ng grit ba [para] ma-overcome ‘yung challenge na pinagdaanan namin kanina. Na-appreciate ko ‘yung coaches and teammates ko,” she said.
