FOR a coach so used to winning in the higher tiers of European volleyball, the biggest culture shock for Nxled's Ettore Guidetti wasn’t moving to the Philippine per se.
It was dealing with a handful of losses in his first PVL conference with the Chameleons.
READ: Draft lottery-bound Nxled signs off on winning note vs Farm Fresh
Nxled only won twice in 14 matches played in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference — the latest being its 25-17, 25-17, 25-18 play-ins finale sweep of Farm Fresh.
And so, hailing from a country with a rich sporting heritage, losing in general is a rarity.
“The one thing that probably I like last is to lose that many games. Honestly, I am not used to it. I tried to be calm and serene (this conference),” said Guidetti.
“You know, I am Italian, so 95 percent of my personality is based on fire. I have to accept that I was much more useful for my team as a help to them […] The only thing that I can control is the range of mistakes (my team makes).”
Guidetti's winning pedigree
A quick check into Guidetti’s profile would show that the 50 year old has handled 19 clubs in both domestic and national team scenes.
He’s won titles in cups and leagues in countries such as his home nation of Italy, as well as Romania, Poland, and Sweden.
Dismal as his Philippine debut might have been, Guidetti still takes pride in the fact that Nxled grew stronger compared to how they fared in previous conferences.
“For me as a coach, this year has been really productive. I knew a lot about the knowledge of the (tournament), knowledge of the players, knowledge also of the university players, so for me, something that makes me more rich as a coach as when I began,” Guidetti said.
“To be honest with you, I’m pretty happy with the reaction of my team every single game because this conference is much stronger compared to the last one.”
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