Opposite spiker Jovelyn Fernandez and libero Janel Delerio have signed with Nxled following their departures from Cignal and Farm Fresh, respectively, the team announced on Thursday.
The announcement comes just a day after the Chameleons parted ways with veterans Bang Pineda and Ivy Perez.
Fernandez is expected to have plenty of opportunities to showcase her wares with the Chameleons after being unable to do so during her more than a year-long stint with the HD Spikers, which spanned two seasons and four conferences.
The 24-year-old winger spent nearly her entire stint with Cignal riding the bench, often playing behind the likes of Jovelyn Gonzaga, Chin Basas, and reinforcement MJ Perez throughout the 2024 season.
Even the mid-season exit of former team captain Ces Molina during the 2024–25 All-Filipino Conference did little to open up opportunities for Fernandez to see more playing time, with rookie Ishie Lalongisip and veteran Judith Abil joining Vanie Gandler in the starting unit to start the year.
Fernandez, though, finally got her shot when she started in the HD Spikers’ two play-in games, where she averaged 7.5 points—though both ended in defeat.
Now with Nxled, the former UAAP Best Opposite Spiker finds herself with a much clearer path to consistent minutes, joining a team that has struggled to generate offensive firepower in recent conferences and is actively looking for new contributors to step up.
Fernandez is also set to reunite with former teammate Lycha Ebon and is expected to compete for minutes with her in the opposite spot.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Delerio is coming off a two-season stint with the Foxies where she initially held the starting libero role before getting reduced minutes due to the arrival of veteran defensive ace Jheck Dionela.
The former University of Santo Tomas standout is coming off a solid All-Filipino Conference performance, where she averaged 2.82 digs per set.
