WHEN Petro Gazz took a leave of absence in January, Nxled suddenly found itself taking on far more than just new players.
The Chameleons had to absorb a champion core from another program, build chemistry in the middle of a competitive season, and figure out how all the pieces would fit.
READ: Guidetti plays down role in NXLED rise, credits 'better players'
Their first All-Filipino Conference together ended without a Final Four berth, while more setbacks followed with three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle sidelined by a right shoulder tear and Chiara Permentilla dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Yet somewhere along the way, Nxled kept believing the pieces would eventually come together.
That belief was tested again when former Cignal stars Gel Cayuna and Jackie Acuña joined the mix, adding two more players who needed to find their place within an evolving Chameleons system.
But for Petro Gazz-turned-Nxled ace Myla Pablo, the transition proved smoother than expected.
“Sobrang hirap din talaga kasi may dalawa kaming kasama na sina Gel nga and Jackie, pero you can see naman hindi rin kami nahirapan sa kanila kasi nga ang bilis din talaga naming nakuha 'yung connection ng bawat isa,” Pablo said.
“Hindi rin kami nahirapan kasi 'yung mga kasama namin mga veteran din talaga. So, I'm really happy din talaga na nakapag-finals kami this Invitational.”
Now, after all the uncertainty that came with the project, and after two years in the cellar, Nxled is suddenly standing in the franchise’s first PVL finals.
The Chameleons enter Tuesday’s title game against EST Cola carrying the physical and mental toll of a grueling Invitational, but also the confidence of a team that has already weathered more than its share of adversity.
“First time namin mag-finals with Nxled, and you can see naman, lahat ng teams pagod din talaga, and everyday 'yung game. But 'yun nga, sabi talaga namin, pagod 'yung physical and mental namin talaga is pagod din talaga,” Pablo said.
“Kailangan talaga namin gawin this Tuesday is ibigay din namin 'yung best namin and 'yung communication namin ng bawat isa, and 'yung plan namin sa loob ng court, kailangan mai-apply namin against Thailand.”
While Nxled has spent much of the year simply trying to make its pieces fit, Pablo and the Chameleons have a chance to show just how far that faith in the process can take them.
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