Gary and Lisa Van Sickle gamely shared how their Petro Gazz coaching positions came to fruition, as they reunited with daughter Brooke in the PVL as part of the Angels.
Petro Gazz’s Reinforced Conference campaign takes on a unique twist this season, as star spiker Brooke Van Sickle is now being coached by the people who first taught her the game—her parents, Gary and Lisa Van Sickle.
The couple officially joined the Angels as head coach and assistant coach, marking a family affair in the PVL.
A dream come true
The PVL All-Filipino MVP admits that life overseas has meant countless sacrifices—time away from home, family milestones missed, and support systems kept at a distance.
That’s why having her parents in Manila, not just in the stands but calling the shots on the bench, is a moment she describes as “amazing.”
“It’s really hard to be overseas and making sacrifices and being away from them,” Brooke told reporters at the sidelines of the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference press conference.
“I’m just really happy and grateful that they’re able to be here and watch me grow as a human and as a player. I learned everything from them before college, so I’m excited to see that nurturing care implemented into our team.”
The 27-year-old spiker also noted that the adjustment is natural since they’ve already built boundaries between being family at home and being coaches on the court.
“That’s the nice thing about having them as my coaches growing up. We already have an understanding—outside the court, they’re my parents, but inside, it’s professional. It’s all about winning,” she explained.
Gary and Lisa’s coaching journey
Gary revealed that the move to Petro Gazz happened quickly.
“They started reaching out about three or four weeks ago, asking about our background, and then things escalated from there,” he said. “We just arrived last night, so training starts now. But we’ve seen the girls play last year, and we’re excited to settle in.”
[ALSO READ: Brooke Van Sickle is living her 'dream' of playing in the Philippines | Off the Record]
Lisa, meanwhile, said family support back home made the decision easier.
“We’ve been watching Petro ever since Brooke came here, so we’re very familiar with the style of play,” she said. “It was an easy decision once things were settled with family back home. To be here, to coach Brooke again, and to help this team—it’s exciting.”
A new era for Petro Gazz
With Gary and Lisa at the helm, the Angels are entering a new chapter after the sudden departure of Japanese tactician Koji Tsuzurabara during the PVL on Tour.
The two will begin their practices with Petro Gazz starting today, with less than a week before the Reinforced Conference begins.
Still, the Angels will bank on familiarity and trust as they look to reclaim their crown alongside import Lindsey Vander Weide, who was hailed Finals MVP when Petro Gazz clinched the 2022 Reinforced Conference.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.