Nxled depth fuels franchise-first semifinal appearance
Nxled is in the PVL semifinals for the first time in franchise history, with Brooke Van Sickle leading the team to six straight victories.
But that milestone, and the unbeaten run that produced it, cannot be pinned on the three-time MVP alone.
“I think everyone is stepping up in huge ways,” Van Sickle said on Thursday, shortly after knocking down 10 points in the Chameleons’ 27-25, 25-22, 26-24 victory over sister team Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Siklab Series at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It’s first for Nxled in the All-Filipino,” Van Sickle said. “So it’s just, it’s special, I would say. It just, it took a while. But I’m glad for everyone’s hard work and dedication to the team.”
“Our starting six and our second [stringers] are doing a fantastic job of staying consistent. We’ve been through lots of ups and downs, but I’m very proud of where we’re going. I’m always happy to go to practice to see our coaches and our teammates, and I think it’s always just good vibes,” she added.
MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo and EJ Laure-Cariño had nine points each, with Gel Cayuna dishing out 17 excellent sets on top of three points. Jackie Acuña added seven points.
Van Sickle is making the most of her minutes in this tournament after she was sidelined in Nxled’s silver-medal finish in the six-team, single-round format of the Invitational Conference due to a shoulder injury.
“It was scary times during that moment, because it was up in the air—how this conference was going to be for me personally. But no matter what, I always knew my teammates had it [covered],” Van Sickle said. “They’ve been working extremely hard while [I was] … recovering. It was really easy for me to be back in practice, because everything was already flowing. Everyone already had that chemistry and camaraderie. It was seamless.”
But now that she’s back, the Filipino-American spiker is determined to keep this run and deliver the franchise’s first-ever title.
“We’re one step closer towards the championship. I know a lot of the girls have always wanted to win a championship. And … it would be something special to be able to achieve,” Van Sickle said.
Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, who had six points, suffered a left leg injury in the third after an awkward landing with Akari holding a 16-14 lead. Nxled stormed back and forced a neck-and-neck frame before Bang Pineda’s overpass off Faith Nisperos’ attack, luckily, turned into the Chameleons’ match point, 24-23.
Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti was assured by their physical therapist that Escamillan’s injury was nothing serious.
With the first semifinal ticket secured, Nxled now turns its attention to claiming a twice-to-beat advantage when it faces No. 2 Creamline on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Akari fell to the brink of elimination at 3-4, with Eli Soyud leading the way with 16 points.
