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Petro Gazz import Gia Day in the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net MANILA, Philippines — It wasn’t the result Gia Day wanted but she relished her opportunity to play for the Petro Gazz Angels in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League.
Day topscored with 18 points off 16 kills, one block, and an ace, only for Petro Gazz to lose its first Pool B game to Taipower, 15-25, 16-25, 25-19, 20-25, on Monday at Philsports Arena. “I think this is also my first international tournament so I’m really excited to play with a different style and also see so many different styles in volleyball, I think it’s a beautiful thing. Like Brooke (Van Sickle) said, the teams in this tournament are really good at playing together and finding their rhythm as a team so I think that’s something we can learn from and really be excited about,” said Day.
Gia Day on her Petro Gazz debut. #AVCChampionsLeague | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.
com/jwmSR71f6W — INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 21, 2025 “I kind of accepted the challenge, so I’m excited for what the future holds and I’m really thankful that they invited me to come here.” Despite the loss, the 26-year-old American outside hitter remained grateful for the Angels warm welcome that made her adjustment easier. “I’m really happy with the connection that we’ve made so far, with me and the team.
We only had two and a half practices together because one was like a serve and pass. So I think for this, I’m really thankful to the girls for welcoming me so well. Brooke and MJ (Phillips), all the local girls, I feel really loved and supported and I feel not too much pressure, as much as I put on myself, so I know I can help more once we get in more rhythm.
I’m just excited to support as much as I can,” said Day. “I feel like I’ve known them for months. They are just so kind.
Really funny, goofy, and I think to improve this connection, I think we improved a lot today in the game. You could see the rhythm kind of change and evolve overtime,” she added. Brooke Van Sickle, who faced her new teammate in the NCAA when her University of Hawaii battled the latter’s Baylor University, is glad to reconnect with Day, who also played in South Korea in the same season with Phillips.
“I’ve actually known Gia for like a decade now. Ten years.Playing club volleyball in the States, that’s how I met her.
We ended up doing a stint thing in our senior year. We got invited to play in some games from around the country, so everyone got to play in like this fun game,” said Van Sickle. “I’ve known her for a long time, so it was really cool to be able to get connected and then have her come here because I’ve been hoping and praying that she’d come, so it’s just all worked out.
It’s definitely a full circle moment. Volleyball is such a small world. It’s awesome.
” Day vows to bounce back in Petro Gazz’s must-win game on Tuesday against Hip Hing of Hong Kong for the last quarterfinal berth. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .
“I think this was the perfect moment, like what Brooke said, to learn from, gain rhythm, to learn each other. I’m excited for practice, I’m excited for tomorrow, and to just keep improving together,” she said. “My biggest takeaway is just to be in the moment together.
To enjoy point by point, I think coach said point by point. Rem (Palma), the captain, reminded us to stay in the moment and go point by point. So I think, thinking about the moment helps us to focus and enjoy together.
That’s my biggest takeaway for today.”.
