Undefeated Nxled hacks out 5-set escape vs Farm Fresh

Nxled Chameleons regrouped when it mattered most, fending off Farm Fresh’s comeback in a grueling five-set affair, 25–19, 25–17, 23–25, 20–25, 15–12, to share the lead in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on October 17.

The Chameleons reasserted its grip after a disastrous two-set slip, rallying behind Brooke Van Sickle, who topscored with 20 points built on 14 kills and six blocks, to go with 16 digs, just as she returned from a shoulder injury.

Gel Cayuna fueled the Chameleon’s offense with 31 excellent sets, while fifth-set hero Myla Pablo supplied the last four points—capped with a game-sealing block on Ces Molina to finish with 17.

Nxled demonstrated its all-around brilliance from the outset, breaking a tense 16-all deadlock with an emphatic 9–3 run to secure the first set.

They reinforced that momentum into the second with a stifling block party, building a game-high lead of 10 points to move within a set of victory.

However, the Foxies came alive just when Nxled appeared poised to cruise to victory.

Farm Fresh rose from a deep grave, battled out a neck-and-neck duel, and leaned on key offensive plays from Jonna Perdido and Trisha Tubu in the crucial stretches of third and fourth to force a decisive canto.

Chameleons, however, were ready to finish what they started, as Van Sickle pierced through blockers for much-needed conversions and Jackie Acuña barged in to forge double blocks that quickly overturned a three-point trail.

Tubu kept Farm Fresh within one, 11–10, but Pablo took charge, delivering back-to-back kills and responding to a Molina hit for a 14–11 match point before the final block that improved their standing to 2–0.

Molina, who came off the bench, did the most damage for Farm Fresh with 16 markers, while Mylene Paat-Rezanova backstopped with 12, then Tubu, Perdido, and Rizza Cruz with nine each.

Though outgunned in attacks, 59-69, Nxled’s defense proved to be a thorn that negated potent attacks of Koji Tsuzurabara-mentored squad, piling up 23 blocks, seven from Acuña, who added 12 points.

Nxled will now aim to sustain its place atop the PVL Siklab Series with a third straight win against the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.