Nxled proved once again that poise under pressure is quickly becoming its trademark.

On Saturday, Feb. 7, the Chameleons overcame another series of sluggish starts before dispatching the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-18, 28-26, 25-18, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Montalban. The straight-sets win lifted Nxled to 2-0 and kept it level with Cignal atop the standings.

The result looked decisive on paper, but the path to victory demanded composure. Nxled repeatedly found itself trailing early, only to regroup and flip the momentum with timely runs and disciplined execution.

System trust fuels turnaround

Capital1 stormed to a 7-0 opening in the first set, catching Nxled flat-footed. The Chameleons responded with a five-point burst, slowly chipping away before seizing control and never looking back.

That pattern resurfaced in the next two frames. Nxled fell behind 4-8 in both sets, with the second stretching into a tense extension. The Chameleons held firm in the pressure moments, edging out the 28-26 decision before tightening their grip midway through the third to finish the match in one hour and 29 minutes.

Sophomore Lyann de Guzman, who collected 13 points and the Best Player of the Game award, credited head coach Ettore Guidetti’s insistence on sticking to the system.

“Coach always reminds us to stick to the system – hit hard and make sure we cover,” De Guzman said in Filipino. “When rallies happen, everyone does their part, and it really worked for us.”

She also pointed to the steady encouragement from the veterans as a key factor in her confidence.

“They’re very supportive. They always encourage me to attack, and they assure me they’ll take care of the coverage,” she added. “Everyone is working hard, so this win really belongs to the whole team.”

Balanced attack keeps Nxled perfect

Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo each scored 15 points, while MJ Phillips added 10, highlighted by four blocks. Nxled outgunned Capital1 in attacks, 47-41, and held a 9-7 edge in blocks to neutralize the Solar Spikers’ slight advantage in service aces.

Van Sickle continued her strong all-around form, tallying 12 excellent digs and 12 receptions to anchor both offense and defense. Her steady presence has complemented Nxled’s revamped roster following an offseason overhaul that initially drew heavy scrutiny.

Capital1 absorbed its first defeat after a previous four-set win over ZUS Coffee. Belle Belen erupted for 23 points in a valiant effort, with Shaya Adorador adding 10 and Ezra Madrigal contributing seven.

The victory reinforced Nxled’s growing maturity. Even when the starts are shaky, the Chameleons’ ability to recalibrate and close out sets has defined their early campaign.

Nxled now gears up for a marquee showdown against Cignal on Feb. 14 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Capital1, meanwhile, seeks a quick recovery against the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Feb. 12 at the FilOil Playtime Centre.