Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle and her fan Justine Grace Fronda, a highschool instructor from Zamboanga share a second after the Angels’ Recreation 2 win within the PVL quarterfinals in opposition to ZUS Espresso at Ynares Middle in Antipolo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
ANTIPOLO — Justine Grace Fronda, a highschool instructor from Zamboanga, traveled to Ynares Middle Antipolo to cheer for Brooke Van Sickle and Petro Gazz in Recreation 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Convention quarterfinals on Saturday which was additionally the Angels star’s twenty seventh birthday.
Enjoying in entrance of her household and supporters, Van Sickle didn’t disappoint and led Petro Gazz to a 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 sweep of ZUS Espresso that compelled a deciding Recreation 3.
“I’m her largest fan. I actually invested a lot time for this and I actually need to say that we assist her with all our coronary heart. She is one of the best volleyball participant I’ve ever seen in my complete life. From her plain expertise in offense and protection, from her spikers, from her insane providers…every thing. She’s very explosive each time she performs and I consider she’s unbeatable,” mentioned Fronda.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz grants Brooke Van Sickle’s bday want with Recreation 2 win
“Little Brooke” Justine Grace Fronda,
a 26-year-old instructor from Zamboanga, is a proud member of Brookies — the followers membership of Birthday lady and Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Pfi2tIZsPb— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 22, 2025
The 26-year-old Fronda, who watched Van Sickle play for the second time since November final 12 months, wore matching uniforms together with her idol and even braided her hair identical to the reigning PVL MVP.
“It was so iconic as a result of it was the primary time that I noticed her. That was iconic and it actually stood out essentially the most, so it’s very laborious for her to be forgettable as a result of her presence alone on the courtroom could be very explosive and he or she’s very gifted. The volleyball IQ is insane,” mentioned Fronda, who calls herself “Little Brooke.”
There’s so much to love about Van Sickle. However greater than her recreation, Fronda mentioned her hero saved her from the “darkest moments of her life.”
“Watching Brooke, she’s one of the best participant I’ve ever seen. As a result of April 2024 occurred, that can also be the turning level in my life through which I used to be capable of see some mild in my life. I’ve been struggling emotionally with my face, with my physique, and particularly with my profession standing. Every part was going downhill, and I didn’t know the way to decide myself up,” she mentioned.
“However once I noticed her smiling on display screen, once I noticed her thriving, attempting her finest, you realize I didn’t simply need to survive. I need to really reside, and he or she gave me that type of hope. Each time I assist her and the Petro Gazz Angels, I’m beginning to really feel a number of hope and really feel that. One thing modified that day. I used to be actually capable of patch issues up, resolve some conflicts in my life, and I used to be capable of smile once more, like genuinely smile once more due to her.”
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz will get again at ZUS Espresso, forces decider
Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle and her fan Justine Grace Fronda.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
Fronda had her second with Van Sickle, who went to her household and took time to be together with her followers shortly after the Angels’ victory.
“I used to be about to surrender in life. I informed my mom I might stop my job, I can’t be persevering with my thesis as a result of I’m very fed up with every thing. However each time she smiles on display screen, it’s like she’s telling me, ‘Lady, you are able to do it. You may make a distinction; simply attempt your finest as a result of I’m right here additionally motivating you thru my spectacular gameplay,’” she added.
Fronda doesn’t play volleyball, however she nonetheless sees a number of similarities with Van Sickle.
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“Each of us are family-oriented. I’ve noticed in her participant of the sport interviews when she’s given an opportunity to offer a shoutout, she at all times mentions her household,” she mentioned.
“I might at all times do this. As a result of I at all times put my household first as nicely. I might not be right here. If not for his or her love and assist. Now we have the identical character, love, and assist. So, I believe that’s the similarity that we now have. Now we have good character and a lot love for our household.”