Petro Gazz's Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Fil-Americans Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips of recently crowned PVL champion Petro Gazz addressed Saturday the comments criticizing their nationality.

Van Sickle and Phillips asserted one thing: they are proud Filipinos.

Their citizenship was put into question by some PVL fans on social media, arguing that "they're imports" playing in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

"I don'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," said Phillips, who has roots in Zambales.

"It's all for my Lola, and may she rest in peace. I'd say I don't really read comments so often. The only time I hear about it is if people mention it to me, but I don't take anything personally," she added.

READ: PVL: Petro Gazz ends Creamline's reign, clinches first-ever All-Filipino crown

"I'm here and I want to represent the Philippines. I am Filipino. I do have a passport," said Van Sickle, who is tracing her heritage from San Emilio, Ilocos Sur.

READ: PVL: Creamline survives Petro Gazz in Game 2, pushes Finals to the limit

For Van Sickle, she hopes that one day they'd be fully embraced by Filipinos while sharing that she "doesn't feel hate towards them."

"I don't expect people to be open arms with us. I understand how they feel and I just hope that one day that they'll embrace us and just accept us. I don't feel any hatred towards them," said Van Sickle.

The University of Hawaii product said it's their "dream" to represent the country, expressing eagerness to play further on Philippine soil and perhaps for the flag.

Currently, their papers of changing federations from the United States to the Philippines are in the works, Van Sickle confirmed.

"From the last what I've heard, our paperwork's already been processed. We might have to fact-check that, but what I've been told is that it's already been processed. That'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."

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