MJ Phillips has taken on a bigger leadership role for Nxled, embracing the responsibility that comes with being one of the team’s most experienced players in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
With her teammates looking up to her as an “ate,” the 31-year-old middle blocker knows that her influence extends beyond what she can produce on the court.
“I mean, I just know that I’m looked at as an ate with everyone on the team. So I just really want to set an example,” Phillips said.
That responsibility has become even more important for the Chameleons with team captain Brooke Van Sickle still sidelined by a minor shoulder tear, leaving Phillips to help fill the leadership void both on and off the court.
“And I know that we’re missing Brooke, but she’s still a very big, huge impact on the team, even if she’s off the court,” said the two-time Finals MVP.
Phillips emphasized that Van Sickle’s presence continues to be felt by the team despite her absence.
(C) PVL Images
“I know that we’re missing Brooke, but she’s still a very big, huge impact on the team, even if she’s off the court,” she added.
Nxled endured a rocky campaign in the recent PVL On Tour without Van Sickle, splitting its four games with victories over Capital1 and Galeries Tower and losses to Creamline and Farm Fresh.
The Chameleons then opened their PVL Invitational campaign on a sour note, falling to the Jaja Santiago-led Creamline, 25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20, last Monday.
But Nxled appeared to finally turn the page in its next game, coming out with renewed energy and confidence to put together a composed performance en route to a 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 sweep of defending champion PLDT on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“In the past, maybe we’d make errors, we’d kind of curl up. But right now, I just feel like we’re really solid right now,” said Phillips, who finished with a team-high 13 points and played a huge role in the final run that put away the High Speed Hitters for good.
The victory served as a much-needed confidence boost for the Chameleons, who now look determined to turn that momentum into a deep run in the tournament.
Phillips, meanwhile, believes Nxled’s growing confidence could be the key as the team sets its sights on the PVL Invitational Conference title.
“We’re really hungry for, like, a win and a championship. Everyone’s stepping up—that’s what we’re seeing. And I see a lot of confidence,” she said.
“And even if there’s an error, we’d bounce back. We’re confident that we can do it. So, it’s a big change.”
