BATANGAS CITY — Lyann De Guzman and Chiara Permentilla delivered clutch performances as Nxled pulled off a stunning five-set win over reigning All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz, 25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-10, in the 2025 PVL On Tour on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Complex here.
De Guzman, the fourth overall pick in the recent PVL Draft, sparked the Chameleons’ comeback after falling into a 1–2 set hole.
Meanwhile, hometown hero Permentilla came through in the clutch in the deciding set to secure Nxled’s first-ever franchise victory over the Angels.
The Ateneo de Manila University standout exploded for 21 points — the highest scoring debut for a rookie since the draft’s inception — built on 18 attacks and three service aces. She also contributed eight excellent digs and nine excellent receptions in a well-rounded effort.
Permentilla, a native of Lipa, maximized her limited minutes and finished with 10 points, including Nxled’s final four in the fifth set.
“I am obviously happy because we won against the best team of the last conference. To be clear about this, I’m not crazy — I know we won against the B team, and I know we have to keep our feet on the ground. But it’s a B team that is very good,” said Chameleons head coach Etorre Guidetti, acknowledging the absence of Petro Gazz stars Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips.
(C) PVL Images
After a strong opening set, Nxled faltered in the second and third before mounting a rousing comeback. The Chameleons dominated the fourth frame and carried the momentum into the decider with a scorching 6–2 start.
Petro Gazz, however, showed resilience, tying the match at 9-all behind a crafty push from Nicole Tiamzon.
That turned out to be the Angels’ final push.
De Guzman and Krich Macaslang denied AA Adolfo at the net to regain the lead, before De Guzman fired a service ace to widen the gap to 11–9.
That’s when Permentilla took over.
With her compatriots and relatives cheering her on, the Batangueña unleashed three consecutive attacks to bring Nxled to match point. A rare attack error from De Guzman briefly kept Petro Gazz alive, 14–10, but Permentilla sealed the deal with an off-the-block kill that sent the Batangas crowd into a frenzy.
“So we’re happy that we had a very good reaction when we were losing by a lot. After that, we kept increasing our energy until the end, and this is something I really have to say,” Guidetti added.
EJ Cariño chipped in 12 points in the first three sets, while Jovelyn Fernandez and Macaslang added nine and eight markers, respectively.
Jaja Maraguinot steered the offense with 15 excellent sets, sharing playmaking duties with Maji Mangulabnan. Rachel Jorvina anchored the floor defense with 15 excellent digs.
Nxled hopes to ride the momentum when it faces fan-favorite Choco Mucho on Sunday at 6:30 PM, still at the Batangas City Sports Complex.
(C) PVL Images
Petro Gazz, meanwhile, was paced by Myla Pablo’s 16 points, including five kill blocks. She also collected 10 excellent digs and eight excellent receptions in an all-around performance.
Jonah Sabete added 14 markers, while Marian Buitre chipped in 10 points off five attacks, four kill blocks, and an ace.
Rookie setter Jules Tolentino tallied 17 excellent sets, and Jellie Tempiatura registered 11 excellent digs for the Angels, who will try to bounce back against Galeries Tower at 4:00 PM earlier that day.
