No matter where they end up in the next round, Nxled skipper Brooke Van Sickle feels thrilled that the Chameleons have finally reclaimed their fire and momentum in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
After a four-game losing streak that threatened to derail their campaign, Nxled rallied with back-to-back victories over ZUS Coffee and top-ranked PLDT, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the qualifying round.
The Chameleons, currently fourth with a 5-4 record, will see their fate decided by the final preliminary matches — Creamline vs. Cignal and Akari vs. Farm Fresh — as they fight for a place in the next stage.
“We still don’t know if we’re gonna make the top four or not; it depends on other games. But I’m just really proud of my team for the way we came out,” Van Sickle said after Nxled’s four-set stunner over PLDT last Thursday.
“PLDT is a really great team — I mean, they’re number one for a reason. I’m just happy that, slowly, we were able to keep getting momentum as the tournament goes on. I think this is really big for us moving on to the next round, so I’m really proud of everyone.”
Seeing his team return to form was a welcome sight for head coach Ettore Guidetti, who hopes they can sustain this level of play heading into the play-in or qualifying round.
“I’m really happy about what I saw during the game. I see consistency, I see regularity. I saw a very good development in our side-out. The block and defense is working great. So right now we are finally playing a pretty good volleyball together,” said the Italian coach.
(C) PVL Images
The Chameleons showcased a strong all-around performance against one of the league’s best teams, excelling both offensively and defensively throughout the match.
Van Sickle led Nxled with a game-high 21 points, complemented by 11 excellent receptions and nine excellent digs. MJ Phillips, named Player of the Game, contributed 16 points, including 11 attacks, three aces, and two kill blocks.
Jonah Sabete-Escamillan added a double-double of 15 points and 13 excellent receptions, while Myla Pablo chipped in 13 points.
“I think everyone locked in, stayed focused and hungry, and the girls did a fantastic job defensively and in producing points,” Van Sickle said.
Reflecting on the team’s early setbacks, Van Sickle emphasized the lessons learned and the importance of carrying that experience forward, no matter where their win over PLDT takes them.
“I think we’ve been doing an excellent job just taking the punches, rolling with them, getting in the gym every day, and continuing to have that work ethic to keep pushing,” she said.
“It was early on in the season — we learned a lot of lessons — but I think we’re doing a great job with the way we’re going right now with momentum. It was tough, but we were able to bounce back.”
#WATCH: WE STUCK THROUGH IT 🏐
Brooke Van Sickle is proud of Nxled’s resilience throughout their skid#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/R2t5TjUamj
📸 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/ucnyYIWPuf
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 19, 2026
