BATANGAS CITY — Lyann De Guzman couldn’t help but feel the weight of the moment as she walked into the Batangas City Sports Center for her PVL debut. The bright lights. The roaring crowd. The defending All-Filipino Conference champions on the other side of the net.
“Actually, nung una talaga sobrang kinakabahan talaga ako. Like pagpasok sa arena, like ‘eto na talaga’ and grabe talaga ‘yung audience. Sabi nga ng mga Ate ko, parang relax lang and just enjoy the game. Parang mas umano pa ‘yung confidence ko with their help,” shared the fourth overall pick in the 2025 PVL Draft.
But when the whistle blew, De Guzman let go of her jitters and delivered the best kind of statement a rookie could make.
The 5-foot-10 outside hitter exploded for a game-high 21 points — 18 on attacks and three from the service line — while adding eight excellent digs and nine excellent receptions to lead Nxled to a gutsy five-set stunner over Petro Gazz, 25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-10, on Saturday night in the PVL On Tour opener.
Her performance not only lifted the Chameleons to a momentum-boosting win but also marked the highest single-game scoring output by a rookie since the league adopted the draft format last year.
De Guzman credited her smooth transition to the pros to her commitment to head coach Etorre Guidetti’s system and the support she’s received from her veteran teammates.
“Of course, very happy kasi parang lahat ng tinraining namin this past few weeks lumabas siya sa laro namin. Of course, we just need to follow the system of coach [Etorre Guidetti] and ‘yung points parang dadating na lang kasi ‘yun eh,” she said.
Guidetti, who brings international experience to the fold, has emphasized tactical discipline and structured play — a challenge De Guzman has embraced with maturity beyond her years.
“Actually, ‘yun nga nung pinili ako very excited ako. Nasa isip ko talaga nun parang very healthy competition ‘yung mangyayari sa team namin and of course, ‘yung mga Ates ko beterano na ‘yan eh. Matagal na sila sa PVL and they know kung paano maging smart maglaro, ‘yung system ni coach, and ako pasimula pa lang.”
“So ina-adapt ko pa. Slowly, mas natututunan ko na ‘yung bagong system and of course I’m very happy kasi marami pa akong natututunan. Just enjoy the game and tiwala lang, of course sa mga help ng Ates ko mas napapadali ‘yung journey ko sa PVL.”
De Guzman’s poise and polish stood out even in a high-pressure five-setter. With Petro Gazz threatening to close out the match after taking the second and third frames, it was the rookie who helped fuel Nxled’s comeback. Her fearless swings and clutch service aces gave the Chameleons renewed life, particularly in the fourth-set rout that set up the decider.
Having passed her first major test with flying colors, De Guzman is determined to stay grounded while continuing to improve.
“Syempre ngayon, mas naka-adjust na ako sa new environment ng bagong volleyball community,” she said.
“Same mindset lang na ibigay ‘yung 110 percent every game and of course, just follow the system and ‘yung mga sinabi ni coach. Follow lang talaga kasi pupuntos at pupuntos ‘pag sinusunod lang instructions ni coach.”
