Petro Gazz’s Brooke Van Sickle (10) and MJ Phillips (13) during the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is awaiting the requirements of Filipino-American stars Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, hoping to process their change of federation in time for the Alas Pilipinas period starting in May.
Petro Gazz MVPs Van Sickle and Phillips, who are still listed with USA Volleyball, have expressed their intent to play for Alas Pilipinas after being part of coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s 33-player wishlist.
PLDT’s Filipino-Canadian star Savi Davison already said that she’s not keen on playing for Alas as of now, prioritizing her recovery and rest in the offseason.
ANALYSIS: Stop calling them imports; Van Sickle, Phillips are Filipinos
PNVF president Tats Suzara urges Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips to complete their requirements for the federation transfer. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/mgo54DgfpB
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 28, 2025
“I hope we can rush MJ and Brooke. But we’ve been pushing them since last week ng Alas team management,” PNVF Tats Suzara told Inquirer Sports in an exclusive interview on Saturday night in Seoul.
“PNVF didn’t lack the reminders for these players to submit the requirements. In fact, I was anticipating na macomplete yung requirements during the FIVB last April 10.”
“But I heard they’re expediting these documents,” he added.
Van Sickle said during their last AVC Champions League game last Friday that she and Phillips “haven’t heard any updates yet and their paperworks have already been processed.
“We’re just kind of waiting for the next step,”the two-time PVL All-Filipino MVP said.
“We’re waiting patiently and hoping. If we could represent the Philippines, that would be awesome. It’s an honorable thing, and also it’s a great opportunity.”
READ: PNVF eyes addition of Van Sickle, Davison, Phillips to Alas Pilipinas
Suzara said there’s still a chance to get the approval of the FIVB board to change transfer Van Sickle and Phillips to the PNVF,
“It’s easy to say that [you want to play for the country] but to do it is a different story. They can say it to the press, I saw [what they said] but to submit requirements, mas importante yan. So I hope they can submit this after the Champions League now tapos na siguro,” said Suzara, who is also the AVC president and FIVB executive vice president.
The last time the PNVF completed a transfer of federation from the USA Volleyball was Kalei Mau in July 2021.
Alas Pilipinas, who won three bronze in the AVC Challenge Cup and SEA V.League last year, will have a busy year as it bid to end a 20-year medal drought in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Suzara expects the players commitment in the national team period, which ends in September.
“I respect the club season but the clubs they should also respect the national team period. I heard there are some clubs na hindi pinayagan mag national team. I think it’s unacceptable because they should support the national team,” he said.
