Petro Gazz's Jules Tolentino (#4) and Brooke Van Sickle (#10). PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Petro Gazz's Jules Tolentino is proving her worth as the team's first-round pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Tolentino has impressed even former PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle, who calls her "very calm and collected" in pressure-packed moments.
The rookie playmaker steered the Angels past Akari in the semifinals, 25-19, 25-17, 15-25, 22-25, 15-13, to secure the first finals spot in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
READ: Petro Gazz weathers Akari scare to secure PVL finals berth
"I'm really proud of Jules [Tolentino]. She's our rookie, and she's filling in some really big shoes," said Van Sickle on Tolentino. "We stepped into the finals with her as a setter, and she's doing fine. She's running the offense very well."
Tolentino is a crucial piece in Petro Gazz's bid to return to the finals, and Van Sickle acknowledged it.
READ: 2022 PVL Reinforced champ Lindsey Vander Weide relishes return trip to finals with Angels
"She's also staying very calm and collected. So, I just think all the pieces are fitting," said Van Sickle.
But for the former Lady Spiker, it was her ates who kept her composure. Tolentino connected well with her spikers and blockers, having tallied 27 excellent sets.
"Actually, it was my ates. Sobrang pinakalma nila ako this game," she said.
In her first PVL semifinals, she said that she was just eager to help her team reach the gold medal match.
"Siyempre, also my first semis sa PVL so, given also I'm a rookie, the pressure is there, pero 'yun naisip ko na kahit rookie man ako, parang kailangan ko maging composed para sa team kasi gusto ko talaga dalhin 'yung team na 'to sa finals."