Brooke Van Sickle is glad to be back on the court after enduring a bittersweet recovery that saw Nxled make history by reaching the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference finals without her.

Van Sickle returned to the Chameleons’ lineup after missing the PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference due to a minor tear in her right shoulder.

It was a challenging couple of months for the 28-year-old outside hitter, especially as she watched from the sidelines while Nxled made its historic run in the Invitational Conference, eventually settling for silver after falling to Thai side Est Cola in the championship round.

While proud of her teammates’ achievement, Van Sickle admitted that being unable to join them on the court made the experience difficult.

“So, the process was bittersweet. They made it, you know, they supported me every step, so it was easy that way. But then, you know, (it was hard) missing the game and having to watch from afar,” Van Sickle said.

“I mean, no athlete likes to be injured, right? During that time, it was really tough at moments, but I had the support of my coaching staff, our teammates, too, and management and ownership. They supported me every step, so it was easy that way,” she added.

(C) PVL Images

Despite being sidelined, Van Sickle remained proud of how the Chameleons rose to the occasion, crediting head coach Ettore Guidetti for building team chemistry and bringing out the best in everyone during their historic Invitational campaign.

“It’s really cool that we’re able to podium, get second. That was first in Nxled history,” she said. “The girls fought and grinded really well, and Coach Ettore did a really good job, able to get everybody flowing and playing really well with each other and good chemistry.”

Back to full fitness, Van Sickle immediately made her presence felt in Nxled’s 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 victory over PLDT in its opening game of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night.

The former Season MVP finished with a game-high 11 points on 10 attacks and one block, along with eight excellent digs, in the 80-minute victory.

With her return bolstering the Chameleons’ lineup, Van Sickle hopes the team can sustain its momentum throughout the ongoing conference, particularly with its depth allowing different players to step up when called upon.

“It’s really good to be back. So, I thought it’s just going really well, and I hope to continue to see this improvement as the conference goes on. So, I think no matter, like, who’s the starting six, everyone’s producing really well. So, yeah, I’m really proud of everyone,” she said.

Her return also gives Van Sickle the opportunity to finally play alongside setter Gel Cayuna, a partnership she had long looked forward to since arriving in the Philippines.

“Since I got here in the Philippines, I’ve always wanted to play with Jackie and Gel, or both of them. But, yeah, I’ve always, you know, thought Gel was one of the best setters in the country, and I really wanted to play with her,” she said.

“So, it worked well for me.”

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Nxled welcomed team captain Brooke Van Sickle back with a convincing 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 victory over PLDT to kick off its campaign in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab series on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Van Sickle missed the entire PVL On Tour and Invitational after sustaining a minor tear in her right shoulder. Despite her absence, the Chameleons finished with the silver medal in the Invitational, falling to guest team Est Cola in the championship round.

Nxled will look to build on its strong start when it takes on Farm Fresh on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

The post Van Sickle returns as Nxled sweeps PLDT to open PVL campaign appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Jude Garcia is grateful to see men’s volleyball finally getting its share of the spotlight, with the Spikers’ Turf taking center stage alongside the Premier Volleyball League as part of the league’s 10th-anniversary celebration.

The five-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player welcomed the integration of select men’s volleyball matches into PVL match days, hoping the increased exposure would attract more fans and help the sport gain greater recognition in the Philippines.

“Sobrang grateful and sobrang saya po ng pakiramdam namin kasi pangarap lang namin ‘to, eh, yung mapasama sa PVL, so yun, natupad na,” said Garcia.

The move allows the Spikers’ Turf to tap into the PVL’s established audience, giving men’s volleyball players a bigger platform to showcase their skills and attract new followers to the sport.

“So, hopefully, marami pang manood sa men’s volleyball and ma-recognize pa yung men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas, na maganda rin yung mga plays and yung games sa men’s volleyball,” he added.

The King Crunchers made the most of their first game under the new format, opening their title-retention bid with a dominant 25-15, 25-14, 25-12 sweep of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the 2026 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Garcia led all scorers with 13 points on seven attacks, four blocks, and two aces. He also tallied five excellent digs to help Criss Cross open its campaign with a convincing straight-set victory.

The match marked only the second time the Spikers’ Turf held games at the Big Dome, following its maiden appearance at the venue during last year’s Invitational Conference in November.

(C) Spikers Turf Images

Meanwhile, Alpha Insurance and Savouge made history in Cebu, competing in the first-ever Spikers’ Turf matchday integrated into the PVL schedule at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena. A record 13,180 fans turned out last Saturday to witness the historic occasion.

The teams delivered a thrilling contest, with the Protectors outlasting the Spin Doctors in five sets, 25-22, 19-25, 26-24, 22-25, 16-14, to cap the historic event with a hard-fought victory.

For Alpha Insurance setter EJ Casaña, the massive turnout sent chills down his spine, as he admitted that playing in front of such a large crowd was an experience he still needed to get used to.

Casaña, however, vowed to embrace the experience as he expressed hope that more fans would turn out to support men’s volleyball in the coming games.

“Ako po, at first, sobrang excited talaga kasi nabigyan na ng chance na mapansin ang men’s volleyball, and sobrang grateful,” said the former Alas Pilipinas setter.

“Kasi nga, kanina, may time na i-interview sana ako sa live. Sabi ko, baka puwedeng mag-focus muna ako kasi importanteng game ’to. Sobrang happy na nandito kami ngayon, and grateful kami sa fans na nag-cheer kanina. Sana po talagang magtuloy-tuloy,” he added.

(C) Spikers Turf Images

Despite the loss, Savouge head coach Sydney Calderon believes his team still came away with a victory of sorts, having played its part in a historic milestone as men’s volleyball continues to gain recognition.

Calderon also thanked Sports Vision, the organizer of both the PVL and Spikers’ Turf, for giving his team the opportunity to be part of the occasion and help bring men’s volleyball closer to the fans.

“Kahit natalo ‘man kami today, panalo pa rin kami kasi na-experience namin ‘yung Cebu. SI Savouge isa sa mga nag-open ng Spikers’ Turf sa games na in-between sa PVL, so history pa rin ‘yun,” Calderon said.

“So wala akong ibang masasabi pero grateful ako sa Spikers’ Turf management, sa Sports Vision na napa-experience sa’min ‘to. And siguro naninibago lang ‘yung men’s ngayon na sobrang daming crowd, na-overwhelm, pero masasanay na kami.Again, thank you so much din sa mga supporters na pumunta dito para mag-support din sa Spikers’ Turf.”

The Spikers’ Turf will hold a four-match schedule every Wednesday and Sunday, while select games will be played between PVL matches on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

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