Brooke Van Sickle proudly reflected on her first stint with Alas Pilipinas at the 2025 VTV Cup, calling it an “honor” and expressing excitement for the national team’s growing potential on the global stage.
Brooke Van Sickle beamed with pride after completing her first international stint with Alas Pilipinas in the recently-concluded 2025 VTV Cup.
The tournament held in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, marked her official debut representing the Philippines on the international volleyball stage.
There, the reigning PVL MVP proved why the wait was indeed worth it, showing off her proven all-around game throughout the tournament.
“Yeah, it was awesome. It was such an honor. We're grateful to be able to be a part of the team, surrounded by such wonderful players,” Van Sickle said during the World Volleyball Day celebration at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“To be able to have the opportunity to play at a high level is super awesome as a volleyball player. That's the goal, right? It was awesome.”
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips 'waiting patiently' for Alas Pilipinas stint clearance]
Though the national team settled for a fourth-place finish in the VTV Cup after a tough semifinal loss to defending champions Korabelka and a close battle for bronze, the Fil-Hawaiian spiker is choosing to focus on the long-term journey of Alas Pilipinas.
“It was not the result we wanted, but I trust in the process. I'm really proud of everyone fighting their best. There's more volleyball to play,” she said. “I'm just really happy to have seen and experienced what I have, and be able to grow from it. I'm very excited for the future.”
Van Sickle added that the VTV Cup also served as a learning experience, as she broadened her view of how the international game is played.
“There’s a lot of lessons to be learned. Just seeing the different styles of volleyball throughout different countries is really cool to see,” she said. “The physicality and the smarts and the IQ that other teams have is awesome to be able to go against.”
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle is living her 'dream' of playing in the Philippines | Off the Record]
Still, she believes that Alas Women are on the right path and that the national team’s progress, fueled by effort and potential, is something worth believing in.
“Again, it's a process for the Philippines. We're working very hard and taking what we can and learning from it,” Van Sickle added. “I think there's so much opportunity and potential in our team and I'm really excited to see what happens in the future.”
[NEXT: Jorge de Brito reiterates role of system, chemistry in growing Alas Pilipinas program]
(With reports from Xander Cipriano)