Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle and her fan Justine Grace Fronda, a high school teacher from Zamboanga share a moment after the Angels’ Game 2 win in the PVL quarterfinals against ZUS Coffee at Ynares Center in Antipolo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
ANTIPOLO — Justine Grace Fronda, a high school teacher from Zamboanga, traveled to Ynares Center Antipolo to cheer for Brooke Van Sickle and Petro Gazz in Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Saturday which was also the Angels star’s 27th birthday.
Playing in front of her family and supporters, Van Sickle didn’t disappoint and led Petro Gazz to a 25-19, 25-13, 28-26 sweep of ZUS Coffee that forced a deciding Game 3.
“I am her biggest fan. I really invested so much time for this and I really want to say that we support her with all our heart. She is the best volleyball player I have ever seen in my entire life. From her undeniable skills in offense and defense, from her spikers, from her insane services…everything. She’s very explosive every time she plays and I believe she’s unbeatable,” said Fronda.
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz grants Brooke Van Sickle’s bday wish with Game 2 win
“Little Brooke” Justine Grace Fronda,
a 26-year-old teacher from Zamboanga, is a proud member of Brookies — the fans club of Birthday girl 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 last year, wore matching uniforms with her idol and even braided her hair just like the reigning PVL MVP.
“It was so iconic because it was the first time that I saw her. That was iconic and it really stood out the most, so it’s very hard for her to be forgettable because her presence alone on the court is very explosive and she’s very talented. The volleyball IQ is insane,” said Fronda, who calls herself “Little Brooke.”
There’s a lot to like about Van Sickle. But more than her game, Fronda said her hero saved her from the “darkest moments of her life.”
“Watching Brooke, she’s the best player I have ever seen. Because April 2024 happened, that is also the turning point in my life in which I was able to see some light in my life. I have been struggling emotionally with my face, with my body, and especially with my career status. Everything was going downhill, and I didn’t know how to pick myself up,” she said.
“But when I saw her smiling on screen, when I saw her thriving, trying her best, you know I did not just want to survive. I want to truly live, and she gave me that kind of hope. Every time I support her and the Petro Gazz Angels, I’m starting to feel a lot of hope and feel that. Something changed that day. I was really able to patch things up, resolve some conflicts in my life, and I was able to smile again, like genuinely smile again because of her.”
READ: PVL: Petro Gazz gets back at ZUS Coffee, forces decider
Petro Gazz star Brooke Van Sickle and her fan Justine Grace Fronda.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Fronda had her moment with Van Sickle, who went to her family and took time to be with her fans shortly after the Angels’ victory.
“I was about to give up in life. I told my mother I would quit my job, I will not be continuing my thesis because I’m very fed up with everything. But every time she smiles on screen, it’s like she’s telling me, ‘Girl, you can do it. You can make a difference; just try your best because I’m here also motivating you through my impressive gameplay,’” she added.
Fronda doesn’t play volleyball, but she still sees a lot of similarities with Van Sickle.
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“Both of us are family-oriented. I have observed in her player of the game interviews when she’s given a chance to give a shoutout, she always mentions her family,” she said.
“I would always do that. Because I always put my family first as well. I would not be here. If not for their love and support. We have the same character, love, and support. So, I think that’s the similarity that we have. We have good character and so much love for our family.”
