BROOKE Van Sickle has reached the home stretch in her bid to change federations from the United States to the Philippines.
The two-time PVL MVP is close to getting confirmation that the change has been approved, along with the applications filed by fellow Fil-Americans MJ Phillips and Tia Andaya, after a monthslong wait.
READ: BVS, Phillips, Andaya to get FIVB clearance 'by end of the week'
“I’m hoping for it. All we can do is to wait and see how the process goes. Hopefully, we’ll know sooner than later. That’s the plan,” Van Sickle said during the World Volleyball Day event on Monday evening.
“I’m just super grateful to represent our country, to be able to wear that Philippine flag on our chest is amazing.”
Arguably the best all-around player in Philippine volleyball today, Van Sickle had her first taste of national team play in the 2025 VTV Cup where Alas finished fourth in the eight-team field.
Van Sickle has long expressed her desire to represent the Philippines. Now that it’s finally about to happen, BVS can finally tick one off her volleyball bucket list.
“It was such an honor. We’re grateful to be able to be a part of a team surrounded by such wonderful players,” Van Sickle said.
“To be able to have that opportunity to play at a high level, it’s super awesome as a volleyball player. That’s the goal, right?”
“It was not the result we wanted but I trust in the process and I’m really proud of everyone fighting their best. There’s more volleyball to play and I’m just really happy to have seen and experience what I have and be able to grow from it.”
Only the beginning for PH volleyball
Playing in Oregon and Hawai’i during her college years gave her a glimpse of what competitive volleyball is all about.
Then she went to Cyprus before landing in her mother’s homeland where, in a short period of time, she became a league MVP twice and once a PVL champion.
Following her stint with the Philippine national team, Van Sickle saw firsthand that there's still much to learn, both for her and her Alas team members, after seeeing how other national teams play.
“There’s a lot of lessons to be learned. Just seeing the different styles of volleyball throughout different countries is really cool. The physicality, the smarts and the IQ that other teams have are awesome to be able to go against,” Van Sickle said.
“It’s a process for the Philippines. We’re working very hard and taking what we can and learning from it. I think there’s so much opportunity and potential in our team. I’m really excited to see what happens in the future.
“Day by day, process by process and hopefully, we’ll start working together, build that chemistry and show the world what Philippine volleyball is.”
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