Path brightens for Chameleons after win over High Speed Hitters
For three straight games to open the PVL All-Filipino Conference, Nxled showed the form it sought when it signed the core of disbanded champion squad Petro Gazz.
Then came the four-game adversity that shook the Chameleons and cast doubt on their status as de facto defending champions.
“I think for any team, going through a four-game losing streak isn’t easy. It can be easy to let those losses affect you,” said Brooke Van Sickle, the three-time MVP and crown jewel of Nxled’s major offseason signings.
“But I’m really proud of all the players for being resilient and sticking through it no matter what,” she added. “We’ve been doing an excellent job taking the punches, getting in the gym every day and continuing to push with that work ethic.”
And now the Chameleons are punching back.
With Van Sickle’s 21 points, 11 excellent receptions and nine digs leading the way, Nxled capped the preliminary round with a second straight win out of that four-game slide—and it was no small victory.
The Chameleons brought down powerhouse PLDT, 21-25, 25-23, 25-13, 25-14 on Thursday at Filoil EcoOil Centre to stay in contention for a place in the Top 4.
That spot remains uncertain. Whether Nxled advances to the qualifying round—where the top four teams battle for the first two semifinal spots—or drops to the play-in will depend on the results of Creamline vs. Cignal and Farm Fresh vs. Akari on Saturday.
Creamline is currently tied with Akari at 5-3 for third place and the Chameleons need Cignal to pin a fourth loss on the Cool Smashers.
Farm Fresh remains in contention at 4-4.
Despite the uncertainty, team captain Van Sickle expressed confidence in the Chameleons.
“[The slide] was early in the season and we learned a lot of lessons. But I think we’re doing a great job with the way we’re going right now, building momentum,” she said. “It was tough, but we were able to bounce back.”
