The Nxled Chameleons secured their spot in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference finals after defeating the Farm Fresh Foxies, 25‑20, 25‑21, 18‑25, 25‑22, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Chameleons finished the elimination round with a 3‑2 record, but their fate depended on the results of the subsequent matches between the Creamline Cool Smashers and PLDT High Speed Hitters, and Est Cola and Ho Chi Minh City.
Nxled eventually advanced to the championship match after PLDT stunned the Cool Smashers and EST Cola swept Ho Chi Minh City, leaving the Chameleons, Cool Smashers, and High Speed Hitters tied at 3‑2. Nxled secured the finals berth on points.
“We’re really proud of the way we played this mini tournament. Really intense, and I think that it’s clear for everyone that this is a fighting team,” said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti.
“We fought against everyone. We didn’t lose a single set with a big score. We always try our best to bring the victory home. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we don’t. But it has always, always been a fearsome battle for us,” he added.
Nxled Veterans Step Up
MJ Phillips led the Chameleons with 25 points on 19‑of‑30 attacking, 4 aces, and 2 blocks.
Jackie Acuna added 12 points, while Jonah Sabete‑Escamillan posted a double‑double of 11 points and 21 excellent receptions. Myla Pablo chipped in 10 points, while EJ Carino had 9 markers and 13 excellent digs.
Gel Cayuna orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets and 6 points, while Irah Jaboneta and Jellie Tempiatura contributed 15 excellent receptions and 11 excellent digs, respectively.
Nxled will face EST Cola in the championship match after both teams finished the elimination round with 4‑1 records.
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, fell to 1‑4 and will compete in the fifth‑place match.
Trisha Tubu paced the Foxies with 20 points on 17 attacks and 3 blocks, while also adding 10 excellent digs. Jonna Perdido contributed 13 points and 11 excellent digs off the bench, while Ces Molina finished with 12 markers.
