By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The NXLED Chameleons finally entered the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) winning column after a long 15-game losing drought on February 8, 2025, in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference.
NXLED has seen enough and was in dire need of a win to boost their confidence, outdueling the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-20, 19-25, 25-14, 25-23, to bag their first-ever win of the PVL season.
Entering the matchup with a disappointing 0-8 win-loss record, the Chameleons gave their all and banked on a consistent two-way performance to repel the Highrisers in four sets.
After a nip-and-tuck affair in the first two sets, the Chameleons found their footing in the third frame and hosted a lopsided run led by EJ Laure who supplied the timely spikes.
The former Chery Tiggo Crossovers ace top-scored NXLED and delivered a game-high 19-point performance built from 14 successful attacks.
Laure was instrumental when the Chameleons went for an early 1-0 lead, hammering six markers in the opening set that provided the oozing confidence for the young NXLED squad.
Despite giving the next set away, Laure took matters into her own hands in the third and kicked off the massive NXLED rally that helped them pull away for a 2-1 advantage.
Laure scored back-to-back cross-court hits in their first three offensive possessions, followed by another personal run midway through the set that ballooned NXLED’s lead to double digits.
After that sequence, the Chameleons completely stole the momentum, paving the way for their steady performance in the fourth.
Galeries tried to force a deciding fifth set after keeping themselves within striking distance but Laure and the rest of the Chameleons wouldn’t be denied for their first win of the conference.
Backstopping Laure during the win was Chiara Permentilla who tallied 14 points derived from 13 successful attacks alongside six excellent receptions.
Also stepping up for the Chameleons were May Luna-Lumahan and Jaycel Delos Reyes who chipped in 12 and eight points, respectively.
NXLED will look to carry their momentum and gun for a back-to-back win on February 13, 2025, when they challenge the hot Choco Mucho Flying Titans team.
