The Nxled Chameleons finally stopped the bleeding in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference, snapping a four-game skid with a 20–25, 25–15, 25–23, 25–19 win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles late Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The victory revived Nxled’s faltering Qualifying Round campaign, though the performance suggested a team still searching for the form that once made it an early tournament favorite.
Nxled Leans on Depth and Experience
After ZUS Coffee surged to take the opening set, the Chameleons regrouped and leaned on their depth and experience to wrest control of the match from the second frame onward.
The win pushed Nxled to 4–4, keeping the team within striking distance of the Top Four with one preliminary match remaining against league-leading PLDT High Speed Hitters on Tuesday.
Brooke Van Sickle delivered a stellar all-around effort, posting a triple-double of 20 points, 12 excellent receptions, and 10 digs to power the Chameleons.
“This game is very important. This conference is very unpredictable. There’s no undefeated team right now, so every point matters,” Van Sickle said. “I’m very proud of my team to be able to lock in, focus and bounce back.”
Superb Performances All Around
Jonah Sabete-Escamillan backed her with 19 points, including 3 blocks, while MJ Phillips added 12 markers and 3 blocks. Myla Pablo chipped in 8.
Chiara Permentilla also made her presence felt late, delivering three of Nxled’s final five points in the fourth set, including the decisive hit that sealed the one-hour, 40-minute contest.
Nxled held a slim edge in attacks, 54–53, and blocks, 11–10, while also producing six service aces against ZUS Coffee’s two. The Chameleons capitalized on 24 points off Thunderbelles errors.
ZUS Coffee fell to 1–7 after its fifth straight defeat but remains mathematically alive for a semifinal berth through the Play-In stage.
Thea Gagate led the Thunderbelles with 16 points, while Cess Robles added 13. Jovelyn Gonzaga finished with 11 and Riza Nogales had eight.
For Nxled, the win halted the slide—but the search for early-season form continues.
