For Lyann De Guzman, the fourth overall pick of the 2025 PVL Draft, sharing the court with Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, and MJ Phillips has pushed her game to another level.
Van Sickle, Pablo, and Phillips were pillars of the now-defunct Petro Gazz Angels before joining the Nxled Chameleons ahead of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference. Their arrival immediately raised expectations and, according to De Guzman, also sparked healthy internal competition.
That dynamic has translated into results. Nxled currently sits atop the standings with a 2-0 record, showing balance and depth rather than reliance on a single scorer.
“Sabi ko nga nung mga previous interviews na very healthy competition nga ‘yung sa team. Everyone is willing to step up talaga to help the team. Nakikita naman na hindi one-man show, but everyone is willing to help talaga to get this win,” De Guzman said after the Chameleons’ straight-sets win over the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
Lyann De Guzman Takes on New Role
With Van Sickle and Pablo occupying key roles as open spikers, Lyann De Guzman was shifted to the opposite position. Instead of resisting the change, she embraced it, drawing from her experience and finding ways to contribute offensively.
Against Capital1, De Guzman scored 13 points, finishing as Nxled’s third-leading scorer behind Pablo and Van Sickle. In the Chameleons’ five-set win over the Farm Fresh Foxies, she came off the bench and delivered 7 points in limited but crucial minutes.
“Of course, ‘yun nga sa bagong role na binigay sa akin, accept lang din kasi nung college naman nag-opposite ako. Kung ano ‘yung kailangan ni coach, ibibigay ko lang kung ano kaya kong mabigay,” she said.
Smooth Sailing So Far
De Guzman also highlighted that experience across the roster has made on-court adjustments smoother.
“Actually, everyone kasi alam na ano gagawin inside the court. Everyone has the experience, like matatagal na sa pros, so it’s easier na, ‘yung chemistry. And everyone is willing to learn from each other.”
With a deeper, more competitive lineup, Lyann De Guzman believes Nxled can finally demonstrate its capabilities as the conference progresses.
The Chameleons next face the Cignal Super Spikers on Saturday, February 14, at 4:00 p.m. at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
