NXLED cleared its first play-in hurdle, ending Galeries Tower’s brewing dream run, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Down 21-23 in the third set, Nxled unleashed its veteran smarts through a composed 3-0 run comprised of a Ranya Musa block, an MJ Phillips ace and a Brooke Van Sickle block for the victory.
In the league’s debut at the historic Manila venue, the Chameleons kept their playoff hopes alive, stretching their surge to three straight wins after dropping four in a row.
Phillips, who sat out the prelims loss due to a minor fitness issue, led the way with 17 points built on 13 attacks, three blocks, and an ace.
Van Sickle added 14 points and nine digs, while Myla Pablo chipped in 10 markers.
"This is a conference when there is a lot of alchemies, strange ones. And for us to play against Galeries is difficult," said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti.
"Today was a tough match. Maybe not the second set, but the other two sets, they were really tough, but at the end of the day, we won 3-0 and we are stepping to the next part of the ladder."
One last test now stands between Nxled and the semifinals, with Farm Fresh up next in the play-in finale on April 7 after the Holy Week break.
Blinded by the lights
The Chameleons held fort in a tight opening set, taking a 21-18 lead before Galeries Tower answered with a 4-1 run behind veteran winger Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. Pablo restored order with back-to-back hits to take the frame.
Set 2 was all Nxled, racing to a 14-5 start and stretching the lead to as much as 11. And even with three set points saved, Van Sickle still sealed a dominant 2-0 cushion.
Galeries Tower made one last push in Set 3, going up 19-16 on a four-point run, but Nxled responded with a 7-2 blast and four straight points to complete the sweep and stay alive in the play-ins.
Erika Deloria’s all-around effort of 13 points, 14 receptions, and nine digs fell just short, alongside Maizo-Pontillas’ 11-point, 13-dig double-double, as the Highrisers’ up-and-down campaign came to an end in the play-ins.
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