NO one expected a retooled Nxled squad to spiral into a four-game skid after opening the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference with three straight wins.
Losses to Galeries Tower, Akari, Choco Mucho, and Creamline abruptly slowed the Chameleons’ early momentum, turning a team once touted as a clear title contender into a mid-table side suddenly fighting to stay in the qualifying round race.
Team captain Brooke Van Sickle, long known for her competitive fire and distaste for losing, admitted the stretch was far from pleasant.
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“The four-loss streak, it wasn't happy times, but we're able to stick together,” Van Sickle said.
Despite the slide, the reigning three-time MVP never lost faith that the Chameleons would eventually regain their footing.
“Cohesively, we all understand what we need to do and what we need to get done, and we continue to push each other in the gym and stay together,” she shared.
“I think that's something super important for teams going through losing streaks, to be able to stay together. Going through tough times, it's easy to point fingers or think things just aren’t going your way.”
Van Sickle also praised her cohorts, many of whom she played with during their championship runs with the now-defunct Petro Gazz franchise, for keeping their heads over water despite the slump.
“I'm really proud of all the girls to stay grounded and just staying open and being coachable and coming with positive attitudes no matter what to practice,” she said.
“It makes my job a lot easier. Everyone is leading themselves very well and helping each other. It's cohesively all together.”
With the playoff race heating up, Van Sickle believes Nxled’s path forward remains simple.
“Just step by step, we're going to get better at it,” she said. “It’s keeping the emotions at bay and just staying with positive vibes.”
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