Nxled is already the first team into the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series semifinals, but the Chameleons have a bigger prize in sight: a top-two finish and the twice-to-beat advantage.

The Chameleons clinched the first Final Four berth with a 27-25, 25-22, 26-24 sweep of Akari at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, extending their unbeaten run to six games. Six other teams are fighting for the remaining three semifinal spots.

Nxled Eyes Top Two Finish

A top-two finish would give Nxled the twice-to-beat advantage, a significant edge in the semifinal round. The next test is a tough one, as the Chameleons face powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers on Tuesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Nxled arrives with momentum after sweeping the Capital1 Solar Spikers last weekend and then turning back Akari. That consistency has the Chameleons looking like a formidable contender as the elimination round reaches its crucial stretch.

Composure has been a defining trait of this run. Nxled rallied from a 21-24 deficit in the opening set against Akari, then held off two more Akari charges in the next two frames to finish the sweep.

Van Sickle Powers Chameleons’ Rise

Brooke Van Sickle led Nxled with 10 points and earned Best Player of the Game honors. The Fil-American hitter also has developed a more effective left-handed attack, a weapon she built after a right shoulder injury.

Van Sickle spent hours hitting balls against a wall with her left hand so she could stay involved in practice. “I just love to play so much that I don’t want to separate myself from it,” she said.

MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo and EJ Cariño supplied nine points apiece, and setter Gel Cayuna dished out 17 excellent sets. The Chameleons also outblocked Akari, 12-7, to hold the edge at the net.