Veterans MJ Phillips and Myla Pablo are leading a reboot for the Nxled Chameleons as the team charts a new course for the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference following a major offseason overhaul that brought in the core of the now-defunct Petro Gazz Angels roster.
Nxled enters the season with tempered expectations after finishing near the bottom of the last conference. Still, Phillips says the Chameleons are embracing the underdog role and the challenge that comes with it.
“Yeah, Nxled, they came from the bottom, or one of the bottom teams. So, it’s gonna be a challenge, but we’re all up for it. Like [Brooke Van Sickle] said, I mean, also, who doesn’t like an underdog story? Honestly, I think it’d be great. So, we’re up for the challenge,” Phillips said.
Veterans Raring to Lead an Nxled Turnaround
Pablo brings a championship pedigree to the young roster and is excited to blend youthful energy with veteran know-how as the Chameleons chase a turnaround.
“And sabi ko nga sa inyo, ‘yung young players, maganda talagang i-mix ‘yan sa mga veterans kasi nga ‘yung mga young players, mataas ‘yung energy nila at may gustong patunayan,” Pablo said. “Kami, as veterans, mas magulang na rin maglaro. I think naman magiging maganda ‘yung kalalabasan namin this conference, and siyempre, with coach Ettore [Guidetti], na grabe din ‘yung focus sa amin bilang team.”
A fresh direction under Italian coach Ettore Guidetti is something both players are embracing, with Phillips eager to learn from his system and Pablo confident the team’s combined experience will help Nxled grow over the long haul.
“I’m excited for an Italian coach. I’ve never been under an Italian coach before. He has a strong background in coaching,” Phillips said. “So, I feel like I have a lot to learn from him. I’m just glad that a lot of the Petro Gazz girls are with me still. And to be able to be with new players, it’s just like a fresh start. I’m really excited for what we have to showcase next.”
Pablo added: “I’m really excited din with Coach Ettore, kung paano siya magpa-training. I know na bagong sistema, pero for sure naman hindi rin mahihirapan kasi una, naging Filipino coach naman, Japanese, American, and ngayon Italian. So, I’m really happy and excited.”
Nxled 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Schedule
Here is Nxled’s match schedule for the preliminary round of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference:
February 3 (Tuesday) vs. Farm Fresh Foxies at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
February 7 (Saturday) vs. Capital1 Solar Spikers at 6:30 p.m. • TBA
February 14 (Saturday) vs. Cignal Super Spikers at 6:30 p.m. • TBA
February 19 (Thursday) vs. Galeries Tower Highrisers at 6:30 p.m. • FilOil Centre
February 24 (Tuesday) vs. Akari Chargers at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
March 3 (Tuesday) vs. Choco Mucho Flying Titans at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
March 7 (Saturday) vs. Creamline Cool Smashers at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
March 12 (Thursday) vs. Zus Coffee Thunderbelles at 6:30 p.m. • FilOil Centre
March 19 (Thursday) vs. PLDT High Speed Hitters at 4:00 p.m. • FilOil Centre
