Nxled erased a 22-14 deficit in the third set and went on to stun Choco Mucho, 25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at Smart Araneta Coliseum late Tuesday night, November 3. The rally proved to be the turning point.

The victory was Nxled’s fourth straight and lifted the Chameleons into a share of the conference lead with Creamline. It was a statement win from a team that refused to surrender as the Flying Titans appeared ready to take control.

Nxled’s 11-1 Run Flips Third Set

Choco Mucho led 22-14 and appeared poised to seize control after the teams split the first two sets. Instead, Nxled unleashed an 11-1 closing run behind Myla Pablo and Brooke Van Sickle.

MJ Phillips capped the rally with an ace that the Flying Titans appeared to judge long, only for the ball to drop in. Nxled coach Guidetti Etorre celebrated with a leaping fist pump as the Chameleons took a 2-1 lead in sets.

Choco Mucho appeared to lose its offensive rhythm and defensive sharpness at the worst possible time. Sisi Rondina-Rosales, Eya Laure, Caitlyn Viray and Kat Tolentino tried to regroup, but Nxled carried its momentum into the fourth set.

Nxled Shares PVL Lead With Creamline

Nxled surged to an 11-7 lead in the fourth set and steadily pulled away, with Van Sickle leading the charge and Pablo and Phillips providing support. Isa Molde’s rushed, wide attack gave the Chameleons match point at 24-16.

Viray saved the first match point, but Van Sickle ended the match with a powerful kill through a double block. The Chameleons completed the win in two hours and two minutes.

Van Sickle led Nxled with a triple-double of 19 points, 12 excellent digs and 10 receptions, adding a couple of blistering left-handed attacks. Phillips and Pablo finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

“We just kept reminding ourselves to stay together, just as coach Guidetti kept telling us,” Van Sickle said. “It doesn’t matter how many sets you’re up or how many points you have. What matters is that we stay together and keep fighting.”

Nxled recorded 13 blocks, eight more than Choco Mucho, and had four service aces to the Flying Titans’ two. Jonah Escamillan and Jackie Acuña chipped in nine points apiece.

The Chameleons were outscored in attacks, 61-56, but benefited from Choco Mucho’s 25 unforced errors against just 19 of their own. The Flying Titans slipped to 3-2, left to rue a golden opportunity to take command.