Facing another stern test, Nxled once again flashed its growing poise and maturing character, dismantling yet another emerging contender to stay unbeaten.
Just days after clawing back from the brink to stun the Farm Fresh Foxies in five sets, the Chameleons followed it up with a more efficient but no less demanding victory – this time sweeping the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-18, 28-26, 25-18, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Tuesday at Ynares Center in Montalban.
While the straight-sets result suggested control, the path to victory was anything but smooth. True to recent form, Nxled struggled out of the gates, only to showcase its resilience and composure when it mattered most.
The Chameleons surrendered the first seven points of the opening set before settling down, unleashing a five-point run that sparked a steady turnaround. From there, Nxled methodically dismantled the Solar Spikers’ early momentum and cruised to take the frame.
That pattern repeated itself in the next two sets. Nxled again found itself playing catch-up after falling behind 4-8 in both frames, with the second set turning into a grueling tug-of-war. Still, the Chameleons refused to fold, winning the extended second set with poise before seizing control midway through the third to close out the match in one hour and 29 minutes.
Sophomore standout Lyann de Guzman credited head coach Ettore Guidetti’s strict adherence to the team system for their strong early run in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
De Guzman earned Best Player of the Game honors after finishing with 13 points, including clutch hits, saying the team’s discipline on both ends of the floor made the difference.
“Coach always reminds us to stick to the system – hit hard and make sure we cover,” said De Guzman in Filipino. “When rallies happen, everyone does their part, and it really worked for us.”
The young scorer also expressed gratitude to the team’s veterans, noting how their constant encouragement boosted her confidence.
“They’re very supportive. They always encourage me to attack, and they assure me they’ll take care of the coverage,” she said. “Everyone is working hard, so this win really belongs to the whole team.”
Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo matched 15-point outputs while MJ Phillips contributed 10 markers, including four blocks, as Nxled outhit and out-blocked Capital1, 47-41, and 9-7, respectively.
The Solar Spikers, who had four aces, three more than their rivals, were led by Belle Belen, who exploded for 23 points with Shaya Adorador finishing with 10 and Ezra Madrigal chipping in seven.
Van Sickle, who starred in Nxled’s five-set escape over Farm Fresh, also impressed with 12 excellent digs and an equal number of receptions, underscoring her steady all-around play following a championship campaign with the Petro Gazz Angels in last year’s All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences.
The victory was another display of a star-studded team learning how to win – even when things don’t start according to plan.
Nxled, which entered the season under heavy scrutiny following a massive roster overhaul in the offseason, continued to silence doubters. The Chameleons moved to 2-0, tying the Cignal Super Spikers atop the standings, while dropping the Solar Spikers to their first loss after an earlier four-set win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
For Nxled, the message was clear: slow starts may linger, but its ability to regroup, respond, and finish strong is quickly becoming its defining trait. The Chameleons and the Super Spikers collide in a marquee matchup on Feb. 14 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
For the Solar Spikers, however, the defeat underscored the need for sharper finishes as they look to build consistency ahead of their clash with the fancied PLDT High Speed Hitters on Feb. 12 at the FilOil Playtime Centre.
