Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle and her fan Justine Grace Fronda, a highschool instructor from Zamboanga share a second after the Angels’ Sport 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 Sport 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 pressured a deciding Sport 3.
“I’m her greatest 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 total life. From her simple expertise in offense and protection, from her spikers, from her insane companies…the whole lot. 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 Sport 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 woman 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 yr, wore matching uniforms together with her idol and even braided her hair similar 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 exhausting for her to be forgettable as a result of her presence alone on the courtroom may be very explosive and she or he’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 sport, 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 be the turning level in my life during which I used to be capable of see some gentle in my life. I’ve been struggling emotionally with my face, with my physique, and particularly with my profession standing. Every thing was going downhill, and I didn’t know easy methods to decide myself up,” she mentioned.
“However after I noticed her smiling on display screen, after I noticed her thriving, attempting her finest, you already know I didn’t simply need to survive. I need to really reside, and she or he gave me that sort of hope. Each time I assist her and the Petro Gazz Angels, I’m beginning to really feel loads 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 instructed my mom I’d give up my job, I cannot be persevering with my thesis as a result of I’m very fed up with the whole lot. However each time she smiles on display screen, it’s like she’s telling me, ‘Woman, you are able to do it. You can also 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 loads of similarities with Van Sickle.
“Each of us are family-oriented. I’ve noticed in her participant of the sport interviews when she’s given an opportunity to present a shoutout, she all the time mentions her household,” she mentioned.
“I’d all the time try this. As a result of I all the time put my household first as effectively. I’d not be right here. If not for his or her love and assist. We’ve the identical character, love, and assist. So, I believe that’s the similarity that we have now. We’ve good character and a lot love for our household.”
