Nxled Chameleons Secure First PVL Finals Appearance After Dramatic Tiebreak

The Nxled Chameleons have reached the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Finals for the first time in franchise history, thanks to a combination of their own victory and a crucial upset by PLDT over Creamline. Setter Gel Cayuna described the wait for the final results as even more nerve-wracking than their own survival match, revealing she was more anxious watching other teams play than during her own game.

Nxled secured at least a bronze medal match berth after defeating the Farm Fresh Foxies 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22 in the first game of Sunday’s triple-header. However, their advancement to the finals depended on the outcomes of other matches, specifically requiring a loss from either Thailand’s EST Cola or the Creamline Cool Smashers, led by 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago-Minowa.

EST Cola swiftly defeated Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City in straight sets, marking their fourth consecutive win and securing their own spot in the PVL Finals. This victory also eliminated PLDT from finals contention before their match against Creamline, leaving Nxled’s hopes hanging by a thread.

In a dramatic five-set match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, PLDT upset Creamline 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12, with Savi Davison delivering a career-high 37 points despite Santiago-Minowa’s nine blocks and 25 points. This result allowed Nxled to advance to the championship round against EST Cola, setting up a winner-take-all final scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

All three teams—Nxled, Creamline, and PLDT—finished the elimination round with identical 3-2 win-loss records. Nxled advanced based on the FIVB point system tiebreaker, accumulating 10 points compared to Creamline’s nine and PLDT’s eight. This marked a significant milestone for the Chameleons, who had not previously reached the PVL Finals.

Cayuna, in just her second tournament with Nxled, has adapted well to the team’s system under Italian coach Ettore Guidetti. The core of the team includes champion players from the now-defunct Petro Gazz, and despite missing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle due to a shoulder injury, Nxled has shown remarkable resilience and cohesion.

The setter credited the team’s success to the hard work and rapid development of chemistry among the players. She highlighted the contributions of teammates MJ Phillips and Jackie Acuña in the middle, as well as offensive leaders Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, EJ Laure-Cariño, and Myla Pablo. For Cayuna, this will be her fourth PVL finals appearance, having previously reached the finals three times with Cignal but never securing a title.

As one of the most experienced players on the Nxled roster, Cayuna is focused on maintaining a consistent mindset, emphasizing the importance of preparing mentally and physically for every game. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in the franchise’s first finals and is determined to give her best in pursuit of the elusive PVL championship.

The Nxled Chameleons now face the challenge of overcoming an international club, EST Cola, in the upcoming finals. With limited preparation time and the physical toll of a demanding tournament, the team’s focus will be on executing their game plan and capitalizing on the momentum of their historic breakthrough.