Games on Saturday
(Filoil Centre)
1 p.m. – PLDT vs Capital1 (PVL)
3:30 p.m. – VNS vs Clearskiiin UV (Spikers’ Turf)
6 p.m. – Creamline vs ZUS Coffee (PVL)
SO FAR, so good.
That was how Nxled coach Guidetti Ettore has viewed his Chameleons after roaring to a third straight victory following a 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19 victory over a taller Galeries Tower on Thursday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s nice to see that we have the same resilience that we showed in the last part of the PVL on Tour as well as the Invitational,” said Mr. Ettore. “Definitely following the same line of determination and they’re more serene when faced with difficult situations.”
While there was a slip of concentration in the second set, Nxled was relatively calm almost all throughout in carving out its third straight triumph.
The Highrisers went down to their third loss in a row.
It helped that Jonah Sabete-Escamillan stepped up when Brooke Van Sickle struggled and unloaded a 22-point performance that she spiced up with 18 kills, three blocks and missile-like service ace.
Ms. Van Sickle wound up with just 12 hits but helped preside over her squad’s floor defense with a match-best 13 digs.
For Ms. Sabete-Escamillan, quickness was their weapon.
“Knowing matatangkad sila, kailangan namin ng fast game,” she said.
The Chameleons have been riding high on their runner-up finish — their best finish in franchise history — the Invitational just a month ago.
And by the way they’re playing right, there is a strong chance they may end up going all the way.
“They’re more conscious in what they can do now and more confident,” said the Italian bench tactician. — Joey Villar