Galeries Tower’s Ysa Jimenez tries to dump the ball against Nxled’s Jaycel delos Reyes. PVL photo
First win for Nxled
NXLED finally broke into the win column in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, tripping Galeries Tower, 25-20, 19-25, 25-14, 25-23 last night at the Philsports Arena.
EJ Laure, a key Chameleons acquisition during the off-season, was sensational with 19 points, including five blocks, nine digs and eight receptions.
Italian coach Guidetti Ettore had a sigh of relief after Nxled ended an agonizing eight-match winless spell.
Ettore finally figured out how to pull out the Chameleons of this funk and bag the elusive breakthrough PVL win.
“It feels good. It makes me wonder to have more. I waited, I think four or five months to get the first victory. Obviously, it’s gonna be very good and sweet taste,” said Ettore.
Laure, formerly from Chery Tiggo, was delighted to see Nxled to end a long wait to end the slide.
“Sobrang happy rin lang talaga. After ilang games na pinagtrabahuan din namin. Heto na, nakamit na namin,” said Laure.
Chiara Permentilla chipped in 14 points and six receptions, while May Luna-Lumahan, a second set substitute who became a third and fourth set starter, was the other Chameleon in double digits with 12 points.
Jho Maraguinot paced the Highrisers with 14 points, including two service aces, seven receptions and five digs while Graze Bombita added 11 points.
Nxled moved in a triple tie with Galeries Tower and idle Capital1 at 1-8, and is now holding 10th spot by virtue of better tiebreaker on points.
The Chameleons are simply seeking for a best possible ranking to avoid facing the league’s best in the qualification round.
Defending champion Creamline (8-0) and streaking PetroGazz (7-1) are holding 1-2 spots in the standings.
Up next for Nxled is a duel with Choco Mucho on Thursday.
The Highrisers, meanwhile, will take on the Angels on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
