For Myla Pablo and Nxled, reaching the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference finals is only half the battle.
Standing between the Chameleons and their first championship is an Est Cola side that has already shown it can turn a seemingly comfortable lead into a full-blown fight.
That is why Pablo knows Nxled’s veteran core will need to summon every bit of its experience when the two teams meet for the title on Tuesday.
Pablo, appearing in her first finals with the Chameleons, expects Est Cola’s youthful lineup to bring the same relentless energy it displayed in their elimination-round meeting.
“Syempre, ‘yung Thailand kasi mga bata pa ‘yan eh, so ganado pa maglaro, hindi pa napapagod talaga,” said the 32-year-old Pablo.
The Thai side has already given Nxled a glimpse of that youthful fearlessness.
Est Cola overcame a 20-14 deficit in the fourth set during their first meeting, forcing a deciding frame before finishing the comeback in the fifth set.
For Pablo, the lesson is clear: Nxled cannot afford to be dragged into a frantic battle dictated by Est Cola’s pace.
Instead, the Chameleons will have to lean on the calmness that comes with experience, trust their system, and remain composed whenever momentum begins to shift.
“Kami naman, as a veteran team, kailangan talaga namin ibigay ‘yung best namin sa loob ng court. Laruin lang talaga namin, kumbaga, kung ano ‘yung sasabihin ng mga coaches namin, papakinggan lang namin,” she added.
But before Nxled could even start thinking about the championship, the Chameleons had to endure a nerve-racking wait for their finals fate to be decided.
After beating Farm Fresh in Sunday’s opening match, Nxled could do nothing but watch.
Est Cola had already secured its spot after beating Ho Chi Minh City, leaving the Chameleons dependent on the result of the final elimination-round game between Creamline and PLDT.
Then came the roller coaster.
PLDT seized the opening set, only for Creamline to respond by taking the next two. With the Cool Smashers seemingly gaining control, the High Speed Hitters refused to disappear, forcing a fifth set and eventually completing the comeback.
When PLDT finally closed out the match, Nxled’s ticket to the championship game was punched.
For Pablo and the Chameleons, the long wait was over. More importantly, they had earned the franchise’s first-ever trip to the PVL finals.
“Well, I’m super happy, syempre, first time naming mag-finals with Nxled. You can see naman, lahat ng teams pagod din talaga and every day ‘yung games,” Pablo said.
The compressed schedule has taken its toll on every team, making recovery just as important as preparation. Pablo admitted that fatigue has become an unavoidable part of the tournament, but the Chameleons knew they had to remain ready regardless of how the elimination round unfolded.
“But ‘yun nga, sabi talaga namin, physically, pagod din talaga kaya sabi namin kung ano ‘yung magiging resulta ng game ng CCS and PLDT, kailangan paghandaan pa rin talaga namin sa Tuesday,” she added.
Now, there is no more waiting, calculating, or watching from the sidelines.
There is only the final.
And for Pablo, her first championship opportunity with Nxled is one she intends to embrace fully.
“So ito na nga, nasa finals na kami. Siguro, I think ‘yung kailangan talaga naming gawin this Tuesday is ibigay namin ‘yung best namin. ‘Yung communication ng bawat isa, and ‘yung roles namin sa loob ng court, kailangan mai-apply namin.”
Against Est Cola’s youthful fire, Nxled will counter with experience, composure, and the belief that its veteran core can rise to the biggest moment of its campaign.
