Ricky Palou, PVL president and PNVF vice president, believes that the possible addition of Brooke Van Sickle, Savannah Davison, and MJ Phillips would be a huge boost for the Philippine women’s national volleyball team.
PVL stars Van Sickle, Davison, and Phillips have all agreed to transfer to the Philippine federation in hopes of representing the country in future international tournaments.
“The PNVF has started the process to get (Brooke) Van Sickle, (Savannah) Davison, and MJ Phillips to transfer from their federations to the Philippine federation,” said Palou.
“Sa akin talaga, if they will be allowed to play in the national team, malaking bagay ‘yun. Dahil they have experience, nakita niyo naman yung laro nila sa PVL, ‘di ba? So they will be a big help. Malaking tulong sila sa national team,” he added.
Palou mentioned that the PNVF has already begun filing the paperwork for the trio as they aim to complete everything before the FIVB’s annual window for federation transfers closes.
He also mentioned that an official decision is expected sometime in June.
Both Van Sickle and Phillips are affiliated with USA Volleyball, while Davison is registered with Volleyball Canada.
“May Philippine passports (sila), but ang registration nila is with their previous country of origin. I think Davison is with Canada, si Van Sickle and Phillips are with the U.S. ‘di ba? The three of them have agreed actually,” said Palou.
“Pumayag na yung tatlo na lumipat sila to Philippine federation. So there’s only a window for that so yun ang hinahabol namin. By June, by June malalaman na natin.I think we should get a result by June, sometime in June may result na ‘yun,” he continued.
“If they’re allowed to change federations, we could put them in the pool for the national team.”
As a result, there is no chance for Van Sickle, Davison, and Phillips to join the national team for the upcoming AVC Challenge Cup for Women later this month.
However, the three might already be available when the country hosts another international tournament – the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Challenger Cup – which serves as a qualifier for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Nations League, in July.
