NXLED overcame another grueling test to keep its 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational campaign alive, defeating Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, 25-20, 31-33, 25-17, 25-22, Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Chameleons improved to 2-2, moving into a tie with defending champion PLDT for third place in the standings with the elimination round nearing its conclusion.
The victory came less than 24 hours after Nxled endured a five-set defeat to Thailand’s EST Cola, making the result an important display of composure and endurance for the Chameleons.
Nxled appeared to be in control of the match after taking the opening set and then recovering from the marathon second-set loss. The Vietnamese side, however, refused to give in and threatened to extend the match after erasing a sizeable deficit in the fourth.
The Chameleons built a 19-10 advantage in the fourth set but suddenly found themselves under pressure as Ho Chi Minh mounted an 11-3 run to cut the gap to 22-21.
Nxled managed to settle down at the crucial stage.
Gel Cayuna, who finished with 35 excellent sets and five points, went to MJ Phillips for a quick attack that restored Nxled’s two-point lead.
Jonah Sabete-Escamilla then delivered another powerful attack that gave the Chameleons match point.
Ho Chi Minh delayed the finish with a drop shot from Thi Kim Thanh Dang, but Cayuna again turned to Phillips, who converted the final quick attack to end the two-hour, four-minute contest.
Sabete-Escamilla finished with 18 points, matching Myla Pablo’s output for the team lead. Phillips added 17 points, while EJ Cariño chipped in 16 and Jacqui Acuña contributed 12.
For Sabete-Escamilla, the victory required as much mental toughness as physical endurance after her 26-point performance in the previous night’s five-set loss to EST Cola.
“Sobrang nakakapagod,” Sabete-Escamilla said after the match.
She added that the Chameleons had to maintain their mental strength despite the demanding schedule.
“Tinibayan lang namin ang mental namin for this game,” she said.
Ho Chi Minh was led by Dang with 15 points, while 16-year-old Thi Bich Diep Ho produced 13. Thi Nhung Dao added 11 points, with Thi My Xuyen Le and Thi Diem Phuong Le contributing eight and seven, respectively.
Nxled’s response after dropping the second set proved crucial. Instead of allowing the marathon frame to affect their performance, the Chameleons tightened their defense and relied on quick attacks to regain control in the third.
They nearly let the victory slip away in the fourth when Ho Chi Minh rallied from nine points down, but Nxled maintained its composure in the closing exchanges.
The result kept the Chameleons firmly in contention for one of the two championship berths.
With their record now at 2-2, Nxled will need a strong finish to the elimination round and favorable results from the remaining games to secure a place in the Finals.
For now, the Chameleons have secured an important win after one of the most demanding stretches of the tournament. (Adrian Co)
