By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Nxled Chameleons finally returned to the PVL winning column after taking down the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 20-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-19, in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference on March 12, 2026, at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
After a four-game losing skid that marked Nxled’s last two weeks of the tournament calendar with red Xs, a morale-boosting win finally came at the right time to help boost its PVL playoff aspirations.
The Chameleons showed enough, but had to endure a disappointing opening set after their piled-up unforced errors allowed the Thunderbelles to draw first blood for a 1-0 advantage.
Nxled was still within striking distance after trailing by just two points in the final stretch of the first set, but back-to-back errors moved ZUS Coffee to within a point of the set, which it eventually sealed with a back-row attack.
A rowdy Nxled bench was a sight to see heading into the second set, but little did the Thunderbelles know that it was the much-needed motivation the Chameleons needed to rekindle their lost spark.
A quick offensive heater from Brooke Van Sickle helped Nxled open the second set with a commanding 15-5 lead, backstopped by Jonah Sabete-Escamillan’s scoring lift off the bench that closed out the equalizer with a lopsided 25-15 victory.
The third set went back and forth, as ZUS Coffee had two golden opportunities to seize a 2-1 lead, but the clutch hitting from Van Sickle salvaged Nxled in the final four possessions, including a crafty off-speed spike to end the lengthy thriller.
ZUS Coffee even had a 22-21 lead, but Van Sickle’s personal scoring heroics matched the offensive makes of Thea Gagate and Jovelyn Gonzaga, with a little help from the Thunderbelles’ service error.
The last set was then all Nxled, as Van Sickle and Escamillan got a timely boost from middle blocker MJ Phillips, who stayed solid on both ends of the floor.
Van Sickle spearheaded Nxled’s resurgence with 20 points on 15 successful attacks, alongside 12 excellent receptions, 10 excellent digs and three service aces.
Meanwhile, Escamillan chipped in 19 markers built from 16 successful attacks, while Phillips contributed 12 points, including three kill blocks and two service aces.
The Chameleons will aim for another win on March 19, 2026, against the top-seeded PLDT High Speed Hitters, while ZUS Coffee looks to reset on the same date against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
