Japanese head coach Taka Minowa was left in awe by the tenacity displayed by the newly-formed Nxled squad throughout the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
Minowa admitted that the Chameleons exceeded his expectations after winning four games in their maiden stint, revealing that he thought the team could only win a game or two after their first meeting prior to the season-ending conference.
“To be honest, since I met them on the first day, I thought maybe we could win one or two at the max,” said Minowa with a smile after his squad’s victory over Farm Fresh last Saturday at the University of San Agustin Gymnasium in Iloilo.
“I did not assume three or four wins. They’ve improved. It showed in this win. Actually, they’re always trying to improve and get out of their comfort zones. That’s why they made it,” added the husband of Filipina volleyball star Jaja Santiago.
Nxled, composed mainly of former Akari players and a few free agents, had an impressive stint that saw them secure victories over Gerflor, sister squad Akari, Galeries Tower, and the Foxies while also putting up brave stands against perennial contenders Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo.
The Chameleons ended their first PVL stint with a 4-7 record, tying F2 Logistics at the eighth spot, but the former slid to the ninth seat due to the latter’s superior tiebreak points.
Minowa said that the team still needs more experience playing together if they want to get over the hump in the next conference.
“Our team is still young. They don’t have enough experience playing together; that’s why we need to be stronger,” said Minowa, who was already planning the team’s practices just hours after their final game of the year.
