Without Van Sickle, Nxled Builds Impressive Tournament Response

Nxled delivered an emphatic response to its opening defeat by sweeping defending champion PLDT, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20, at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Chameleons earned their first Invitational victory without former MVP Brooke Van Sickle, relying instead on balanced contributions across their lineup.

Nxled Responds With Sweep of Defending Champion PLDT

Kiko Demigillo of One Sports detailed Nxled’s breakthrough after the Chameleons opened their Invitational campaign with a four-set Creamline defeat. PLDT entered after defeating Thailand’s EST Cola in four sets, giving Nxled an immediate opportunity against the tournament’s defending champion.

Nxled controlled the opening frame, 25-19, before maintaining its advantage through a more competitive second set, 25-22. The Chameleons then secured the sweep with a 25-20 third-set victory, preventing PLDT from extending the contest beyond three frames.

Image from: GMA Network

Chameleons Control Match After Opening Loss to Creamline

Nxled had already shown competitive stretches against Creamline, including a third-set victory during its opening four-set defeat. Against PLDT, the Chameleons converted those promising stretches into sustained execution while protecting advantages throughout all three sets.

Phillips and De Guzman Lead Balanced Nxled Performance

MJ Phillips led Nxled with 13 points from eight successful attacks, four service aces, and one block against PLDT. Her scoring variety provided direct production through three different phases while reducing the Chameleons’ dependence on conventional attacking opportunities alone.

Lyann De Guzman added 10 points, nine digs, and six excellent receptions, delivering meaningful production across offensive and defensive responsibilities. Her all-around contribution became especially important during the third set, when PLDT threatened to extend the match after reaching another deadlock.

Serving Pressure and Two-Way Production Strengthen Chameleons

Phillips’ four service aces gave Nxled another direct scoring source while complementing her eight successful attacks at the net. De Guzman’s digging and reception numbers provided additional stability, allowing her impact to extend considerably beyond her double-digit scoring contribution.

Six-Point Run Decides Nxled’s Third-Set Finish

PLDT reached 16-all during the third set, creating its strongest opportunity to prevent Nxled from completing the straight-set victory. Instead, Phillips and De Guzman combined for six unanswered points, transforming the deadlock into a commanding 22-16 advantage for the Chameleons.

Each player contributed three points during the decisive surge, giving Nxled complete control during the match’s most important stretch. Jov Fernandez later pushed the Chameleons to match point before Leila Cruz’s attacking error completed the third set, 25-20.

Phillips and De Guzman Break Match Open From 16-All

Nxled’s immediate response after PLDT reached level terms prevented the defending champion from building another extended scoring run. Phillips and De Guzman delivered every point during the six-point burst, reinforcing their importance beyond their overall statistical production.

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Nxled Finds Collective Answer Without Brooke Van Sickle

Nxled completed its first Invitational victory without former MVP Brooke Van Sickle, creating greater responsibility throughout the Chameleons’ available rotation. Rather than relying upon one replacement scorer, Nxled received significant contributions from Phillips, De Guzman, and Fernandez during important stretches.

That collective approach provided a stronger response after the Chameleons dropped their opening assignment against another established contender in Creamline. Maintaining contributions across several positions should remain important while Nxled continues competing without one of its most accomplished attacking options.

Shared Responsibilities Keep Chameleons Competitive Without Former MVP

Phillips supplied the leading scoring performance, while De Guzman combined double-digit offense with productive digging and reception numbers against PLDT. Fernandez’s contribution during the closing sequence further demonstrated how Nxled distributed important responsibilities across multiple players throughout the straight-set victory.

Nxled Carries First Invitational Victory Into EST Cola Test

The victory improved Nxled to 1-1 while dropping defending champion PLDT to the same record after two Invitational assignments. Nxled next faces EST Cola, which also enters the matchup at 1-1 after responding to PLDT’s opening win by sweeping Farm Fresh.

The matchup provides another opportunity for Nxled to demonstrate whether its balanced production can remain effective against contrasting international opposition. Sustaining serving pressure, defensive stability, and shared scoring responsibilities should remain important as the Chameleons pursue consecutive Invitational victories.

Chameleons Seek Consistency After Moving to 1-1

Nxled’s first two matches demonstrated its ability to compete against established PVL contenders despite beginning the Invitational with a defeat. Repeating the execution displayed against PLDT would provide another meaningful measure of the Chameleons’ progress during the tournament.

Analytical Breakdown: The Chameleons Found Their Rhythm

Nxled’s upset victory over PLDT showcased how disciplined serving, balanced contributions, and confident late-set execution can overcome even the tournament’s defending champion. MJ Phillips’ scoring and service pressure stood out, while Lyann De Guzman’s all-around performance provided the stability needed to sustain offensive and defensive consistency.

The Chameleons also demonstrated encouraging growth by converting competitive stretches into a convincing straight-set win after their opening loss. If Nxled continues sharing responsibilities across its lineup while maintaining aggressive first-ball pressure, it can remain a legitimate contender throughout the remainder of the PVL Invitational.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Nxled beat PLDT in the 2026 PVL Invitational?

Nxled swept defending champion PLDT, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20, to earn its first victory of the 2026 PVL Invitational.

Who led Nxled in scoring against PLDT?

MJ Phillips led Nxled with 13 points from eight successful attacks, four service aces, and one block against PLDT.

How many points did Lyann De Guzman score against PLDT?

Lyann De Guzman scored 10 points while adding nine digs and six excellent receptions during Nxled’s straight-set victory.

Did Brooke Van Sickle play against PLDT?

Brooke Van Sickle did not play as Nxled secured its first Invitational victory by sweeping defending champion PLDT.

What are Nxled and PLDT’s PVL Invitational records?

Nxled and PLDT both hold 1-1 records after splitting their respective opening two matches of the PVL Invitational.

Disclaimer: Headline Image from The Manila Times on X.