Nxled guns for its fourth straight victory and a share of the lead with idle Creamline as the PVL All Filipino Conference Siklab Series resumes Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Chameleons bracing for a major test against a resurgent Choco Mucho side.
After a much-needed weekend break, the teams return to action facing a crucial stretch of the single-round robin eliminations, where every match carries added weight as the race for the semifinal spots intensifies.
Nxled has emerged as one of the early pacesetters, sweeping its first three assignments in varying fashion. It opened with a shutout victory over PLDT, survived a five-set thriller against Farm Fresh, then subdued Galeries Tower in four sets to preserve its unbeaten record.
But Choco Mucho looms as a tougher challenge in their 6 p.m. encounter, with the Flying Titans eager to build on their recovery from a five-set setback against Farm Fresh.
“I have shivers, as usual,” said Chameleons head coach Ettore Guidetti. “No, they are playing really good. This is another super high level and talented team. You know, there is (Sisi) Rondina, there is (Eya) Laure, there is a bunch of super very good players.”
“So we will try to prepare the game at our best as usual. To study what they do, to perform at our best. And then, hopefully, we continue to block,” he added.
Choco Mucho bounced back with a four-set triumph over Galeries Tower last Tuesday, keeping its semis campaign firmly on track and underscoring the increasingly competitive nature of the race.
Creamline currently leads the field with a 4-0 record, while Nxled is just behind at 3-0. Choco Mucho follows at 3-1, with Farm Fresh, Akari and PLDT all carrying identical 2-2 slates.
Capital1 has slipped to seventh at 2-3, but the Solar Spikers remain very much in contention for a Final Four berth, with their talent-laden roster expected to become even more formidable as the team builds chemistry and cohesion.
At the bottom, ZUS Coffee and Galeries Tower are both searching for their first victories after losing their first four matches.
The Highrisers get another opportunity to break through when they face the Chargers in the 1 p.m. opener, a crucial encounter for two teams heading in opposite directions.
Akari, after dropping its first two matches, has strung together back-to-back victories and will look to sustain that momentum against a Galeries Tower side desperate to get its campaign going.
Eli Soyud leads the Chargers' charge after delivering a career performance against Farm Fresh, erupting for 30 points to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
Ivy Lacsina and Fifi Sharma provided ample support with 21 and 11 points, respectively, as Akari recovered from a 1-2 set deficit before outlasting Akari in the deciding frame for a crucial victory.
Galeries Tower, however, has little reason to back down, with the Highrisers determined to turn their fortunes around. Aiza Pontillas, Jean Asis, Erika Deloria and Shola Alvarez must lead the charge and deliver stronger performances if the team hopes to finally break into the win column.
Still, the marquee attraction remains the Nxled-Choco Mucho showdown, with the Chameleons expected to benefit from the extended break as they fine-tune their combinations, rotations and overall game patterns.
Brooke Van Sickle, Jonah Escamillan, Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips headline one of the league's most formidable attacking units, with ace setter Gel Gayuna providing the steady playmaking that has helped make Nxled's starting six a formidable force.
The Chameleons can also count on their depth, with EJ Laure, Jackie Acuña, Leyann de Guzman and Jovelyn Fernandez ready to deliver key contributions and timely plays.
But Choco Mucho has the firepower and experience to disrupt Nxled's unbeaten run.
“Chinallenge ko na sila na mahaba yung break, tapos Nxled ang kalaban namin. Sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan namin paghandaan. May time pa kami para kung ano man yung nagiging problema namin this past game namin na natalo kami, then ngayon, yung first set namin, kailangan namin ayusin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kailangan namin, siyempre, yung scouting namin. Ang importante, mapag-aralan namin para pagdating sa Nxled game namin, mas ready kami, mas willing kami gawin kung ano yung binigay namin sa kanila na dapat gawin pagdating sa laro,” he added.
After a much-needed weekend break, the teams return to action facing a crucial stretch of the single-round robin eliminations, where every match carries added weight as the race for the semifinal spots intensifies.
Nxled has emerged as one of the early pacesetters, sweeping its first three assignments in varying fashion. It opened with a shutout victory over PLDT, survived a five-set thriller against Farm Fresh, then subdued Galeries Tower in four sets to preserve its unbeaten record.
But Choco Mucho looms as a tougher challenge in their 6 p.m. encounter, with the Flying Titans eager to build on their recovery from a five-set setback against Farm Fresh.
“I have shivers, as usual,” said Chameleons head coach Ettore Guidetti. “No, they are playing really good. This is another super high level and talented team. You know, there is (Sisi) Rondina, there is (Eya) Laure, there is a bunch of super very good players.”
“So we will try to prepare the game at our best as usual. To study what they do, to perform at our best. And then, hopefully, we continue to block,” he added.
Choco Mucho bounced back with a four-set triumph over Galeries Tower last Tuesday, keeping its semis campaign firmly on track and underscoring the increasingly competitive nature of the race.
Creamline currently leads the field with a 4-0 record, while Nxled is just behind at 3-0. Choco Mucho follows at 3-1, with Farm Fresh, Akari and PLDT all carrying identical 2-2 slates.
Capital1 has slipped to seventh at 2-3, but the Solar Spikers remain very much in contention for a Final Four berth, with their talent-laden roster expected to become even more formidable as the team builds chemistry and cohesion.
At the bottom, ZUS Coffee and Galeries Tower are both searching for their first victories after losing their first four matches.
The Highrisers get another opportunity to break through when they face the Chargers in the 1 p.m. opener, a crucial encounter for two teams heading in opposite directions.
Akari, after dropping its first two matches, has strung together back-to-back victories and will look to sustain that momentum against a Galeries Tower side desperate to get its campaign going.
Eli Soyud leads the Chargers' charge after delivering a career performance against Farm Fresh, erupting for 30 points to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
Ivy Lacsina and Fifi Sharma provided ample support with 21 and 11 points, respectively, as Akari recovered from a 1-2 set deficit before outlasting Akari in the deciding frame for a crucial victory.
Galeries Tower, however, has little reason to back down, with the Highrisers determined to turn their fortunes around. Aiza Pontillas, Jean Asis, Erika Deloria and Shola Alvarez must lead the charge and deliver stronger performances if the team hopes to finally break into the win column.
Still, the marquee attraction remains the Nxled-Choco Mucho showdown, with the Chameleons expected to benefit from the extended break as they fine-tune their combinations, rotations and overall game patterns.
Brooke Van Sickle, Jonah Escamillan, Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips headline one of the league's most formidable attacking units, with ace setter Gel Gayuna providing the steady playmaking that has helped make Nxled's starting six a formidable force.
The Chameleons can also count on their depth, with EJ Laure, Jackie Acuña, Leyann de Guzman and Jovelyn Fernandez ready to deliver key contributions and timely plays.
But Choco Mucho has the firepower and experience to disrupt Nxled's unbeaten run.
“Chinallenge ko na sila na mahaba yung break, tapos Nxled ang kalaban namin. Sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan namin paghandaan. May time pa kami para kung ano man yung nagiging problema namin this past game namin na natalo kami, then ngayon, yung first set namin, kailangan namin ayusin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kailangan namin, siyempre, yung scouting namin. Ang importante, mapag-aralan namin para pagdating sa Nxled game namin, mas ready kami, mas willing kami gawin kung ano yung binigay namin sa kanila na dapat gawin pagdating sa laro,” he added.
