Jackie Acuña’s blocking has been a big part of the Nxled Chameleons’ unbeaten start to the 2026–27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series, and she says it begins long before the first serve.
The Chameleons have been the conference’s toughest team at the net, averaging 13.8 blocks per game. Acuña leads that effort with 3.4 blocks per game.
The 26-year-old middle blocker and former PVL Best Middle Blocker had 7 points, including 3 blocks, in Nxled’s 25-13, 25-20, 25-18 sweep of the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Acuña said her approach is simple: study every opponent closely and do whatever she can to help the defenders behind her.
“Talagang as a blocker, ginagawa ko ‘yung best ko,” said Acuña. “Talagang inaaral ko yung opponents ko. Once na mapabagal ko ‘yung bola or ma-block ko, malaking tulong ‘yun sa teammates ko sa likod.”
Jackie Acuña Lauds Ettore Guidetti’s Input
She also credited head coach Ettore Guidetti for helping her read hitters and carry out Nxled’s defensive game plan.
“And with the help of our coaches, Coach Ettore always guides me, and I’m very thankful for that. Yieee, charot,” she said with a laugh.
When asked for her secret, Acuña joked at first before explaining that it comes down to studying the scouting reports the coaching staff prepares. Guidetti draws them up himself and studies the opponents on his own as well.
“’Yung secret ko? Tulog lang. Charot. ‘Yung effort lang sa pag-aaral kasi ‘yung binibigay nila, Coach talagang dino-drawing niya. Inaaral din niya talaga by himself. And ayun, tulog at tiyaga,” she said.
Jackie Acuña and the rest of the Chameleons will next face the Akari Chargers on Thursday, November 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
