Nxled Chameleons win again
Another Nxled Chameleons win, another clean sweep. They took down the Capital1 Solar Spikers 25-13, 25-20, 25-18 at the PhilSports Arena to make it five straight victories and stay on top of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Pulse Series.
Nxled is still the league's only unbeaten squad. Coach Guidetti Ettore kept the explanation short — hunger.
“We’re still hungry,”he said. The scoreline kind of backs him up.
Bella Belen held to five points
Here's the number that jumps out: Bella Belen, normally the Solar Spikers' engine, finished with just five points. Nxled's blocking and floor defense took her out of the match and never let her back in.
Brooke Van Sickle led the Chameleons with 13 points. Jackie Acuña and MJ Phillips each had three blocks, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan added seven hits plus match-highs of eight digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Capital1's loaded roster still searching
Capital1, owned by Milka and Mandy Romero, brought in Erika Santos, Vanie Gandler and Julia Coronel. The results haven't followed. The Solar Spikers are 2-4 and never found a rhythm against Nxled's defense.
Akari survive Choco Mucho in five
In the nightcap, Akari outlasted Choco Mucho 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-14. That leaves both teams at 3-3 and makes Tuesday matter a lot more.
What's next for Nxled
A win over Akari on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum would seal an outright semifinal berth. Ettore isn't hiding what he wants:
“We’re trying to keep our rhythm and I really hope the next game will not be tough for us.”
Analysis: Nxled finished runner-up at the Invitational Conference early this year, the franchise's best-ever finish. A first league crown is the obvious next target, and the current form says it's a real conversation.
The original report is from philstar.com.
