Nxled’s rise to the top of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab series has been built on more than just winning matches.
Behind the Chameleons’ early surge is a formidable blocking game and a growing battle for playing time that continues to push the entire squad forward.
The Chameleons strengthened their grip on solo first place after frustrating Galeries Tower with 14 blocks in a four-set victory on Thursday, extending their winning streak to three games.
That performance added to Nxled’s impressive defensive numbers in its opening matches, following a 23-block effort against Farm Fresh and nine rejections against PLDT. The consistency at the net has become a defining feature of the team’s campaign, making it increasingly difficult for opponents to find clean attacking opportunities.
For head coach Ettore Guidetti, however, the value of the Chameleons’ blocking extends beyond the points it produces.
“It's pretty clear after the two games that we are very good in blocking. It's definitely a good help also for the defense because when the block is working well, the work of the defense is definitely simpler,” said the Italian mentor.
With the front line doing its part to disrupt opposing offenses, Nxled has established a defensive foundation that could prove crucial as the conference progresses. Yet Guidetti is also drawing strength from another source: the increasing competitiveness within his own roster.
The development of the team’s second unit has given the coach more reasons to be optimistic. EJ Carino, Jovelyn Fernandez, Lyann De Guzman, Djanel Cheng, Krich Macaslang, and Ranya Musa are among those benefiting from an environment where every training session presents an opportunity to earn a bigger role.
Rather than simply rotating players through practice, Guidetti has begun using more intense matchups between his first and second groups, particularly in the days leading up to games.
“Well, right now, I noticed that our second starting six really leveled up and really developed. So normally, during practice, I love to scramble a lot. I love to mix the starting six with the second starting six,” Guidetti said.
“But right now, I noticed that, especially a couple of times a week, if I play the first starting six against the second one, they fight more,” he added.
The adjustment reflects how the all-to-play format of the Siklab series can benefit teams willing to invest in their entire roster. With more players pushing for opportunities, the gap between the starters and their reserves is narrowing, raising the level of competition during training.
Guidetti has made these head-to-head sessions a deliberate part of Nxled’s preparation, especially during the final two days before a match. The goal is not only to sharpen the team technically but also to create an atmosphere in which no player can afford to become complacent.
“So this is something that I am trying to introduce a couple of times a week, particularly in the two days before a game. It looks to me that they are not only developing technically, but they are also really fighting for their spots.
“The starting six are defending their positions, while the others are trying to take them. And this is a very good part of the all-to-start, all-to-play format of this conference because it allows me to develop all of my players, not just six or seven of them.”
For a team looking to sustain its early momentum, that internal competition could become just as important as its ability to shut down opponents at the net. A deeper pool of reliable players would give Guidetti greater flexibility in managing the demands of the conference while ensuring that the entire squad remains game-ready.
Still, the Chameleons are far from a finished product despite their three-game winning run and impressive defensive numbers.
Guidetti has identified side-out efficiency — the ability to regain the serve and score when receiving an opponent’s serve — as an area that needs improvement. While Nxled has shown it can disrupt attacks, the coach wants his players to become more consistent in converting their own opportunities.
“So right now, if I have to complain about something in my team, it's never about the block and defense phase, but about side-out. In side-out, we can be better, and we are working on it.”
