NXLED came out on top in the clash of rebuilt contenders, handing Farm Fresh an early dose of reality with a 25-23, 13-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-12 win in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
The MVP duo of Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo shared the spoils in a 5-2 match-clinching surge to fend off the Foxies and complete the comeback from a set down.
But a service error from Farm Fresh captain Louie Romero off a Nxled timeout gifted the Chameleons the win.
Nxled’s 11-woman Petro Gazz core, bannered by no less than three-time league MVP Van Sickle, shook off a two-set slump and turned the tables on familiar faces, handing former champion coach Koji Tsuzurabara and ex-captain Remy Palma a rude introduction to their new chapter.
The win ends a nine-game Nxled skid, having last won a PVL game in the preseason tournament last July 27, coincidentally against Farm Fresh in straight sets.
“They were all ready to adapt. I want to say that it’s pretty simple when you are a Chameleon to switch,” said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti.
Van Sickle remained a two-way menace, this time donning Nxled green, as she churned out 20 points and 11 receptions to pace the comeback.
She got ample support from fellow former MVP Myla Pablo, who fired 19 points on a sharp 45 percent attacking clip.
MJ Phillips controlled the net with authority, finishing with 13 markers, while Chameleons mainstay Lyann de Guzman chipped in seven points despite only seeing action from the second set onward.
Farm Fresh leaned heavily on its disciplined blocking to seize the early advantage, tallying eight kill blocks across the two sets it won while holding Nxled scoreless at the net during that stretch.
But Pablo helped steady the ship in the fourth frame as the Chameleons flipped the script, opening up a lead that ballooned to as much as nine to force a decider, one they would eventually seal.
Fierce fight to the finish
Despite letting two chances to close the door slip, Farm Fresh still showed plenty of promise in its first official outing under champion coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
Multi-awarded opposite hitter Trisha Tubu carried much of the offensive load, erupting for a game-high 28 points in a valiant but ultimately futile effort.
Ces Molina flirted with a triple-double, posting 14 points, 15 receptions, and eight digs, while Royse Tubino made an encouraging debut off the bench.
The former standout delivered 13 points and four receptions in just four sets of action.
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