John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

PVL AFC 25 Creamline vs. Petrogazz Finals G3 - MJ Phillips-9863 (1)

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744476332873PVL AFC 25 Creamline vs. Petrogazz Finals G3 - MJ Phillips-9863.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Petro Gazz&#x27;s Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips. <em>PVL Media Bureau</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA, Philippines – Fil-Americans Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips of recently crowned PVL champion Petro Gazz addressed Saturday the comments criticizing their nationality.</p><p>Van Sickle and Phillips asserted one thing: they are proud Filipinos.</p><p>Their citizenship was put into question by some PVL fans on social media, arguing that &quot;they&#x27;re imports&quot; playing in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t know, like, no words. I mean, I try to ignore the comments, because, I mean, everything is honestly for my mom and my Lola that passed away. Like, every time I look at the flag, I think of the Philippines,&quot; said Phillips, who has roots in Zambales.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s all for my Lola, and may she rest in peace. I&#x27;d say I don&#x27;t really read comments so often. The only time I hear about it is if people mention it to me, but I don&#x27;t take anything personally,&quot; she added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/4/12/pvl-petro-gazz-ends-creamline-s-reign-clinches-first-ever-all-filipino-crown-2133"><strong>READ: PVL: Petro Gazz ends Creamline&#x27;s reign, clinches first-ever All-Filipino crown</strong></a></div><p>&quot;I&#x27;m here and I want to represent the Philippines. I am Filipino. I do have a passport,&quot; said Van Sickle, who is tracing her heritage from San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/4/10/pvl-creamline-survives-petro-gazz-in-game-2-pushes-finals-to-the-limit-2207"><strong>READ: PVL: Creamline survives Petro Gazz in Game 2, pushes Finals to the limit</strong></a></div><p>For Van Sickle, she hopes that one day they&#x27;d be fully embraced by Filipinos while sharing that she &quot;doesn&#x27;t feel hate towards them.&quot;</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t expect people to be open arms with us. I understand how they feel and I just hope that one day that they&#x27;ll embrace us and just accept us. I don&#x27;t feel any hatred towards them,&quot; said Van Sickle.</p><p>The University of Hawaii product said it&#x27;s their &quot;dream&quot; to represent the country, expressing eagerness to play further on Philippine soil and perhaps for the flag.</p><p>Currently, their papers of changing federations from the United States to the Philippines are in the works, Van Sickle confirmed.</p><p>&quot;From the last what I&#x27;ve heard, our paperwork&#x27;s already been processed. We might have to fact-check that, but what I&#x27;ve been told is that it&#x27;s already been processed. That&#x27;s just one step closer to being able to reach our dreams. We want to be able to do as much as we can for our country.&quot;</p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QRUAH6JFeNE??si=QL44kndYPVHJ6KbM&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips asserted one thing: they are proud Filipinos. #PVL2025 #PVLFinals </p>

Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips asserted one thing: they are proud Filipinos. #PVL2025 #PVLFinals

PVL: Van Sickle, Phillips address comments criticizing their nationality

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PVL: Van Sickle, Phillips address comments criticizing their nationality

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 13, 2025 01:13 AM PHT

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Updated April 13, 2025 04:19 AM PHT

Read More:

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volleyball

Premier Volleyball League

PVL All-Filipino Conference

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Petro Gazz Angels

Brooke Van Sickle

MJ Phillips

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