Nxled seeks record start; Akari, Capital1 collide

Games today:

(FilOil EcoOil Arena)

4 p.m. — Nxled vs Galeries

6:30 p.m. — Akari vs Capital1

While early records may hint at expected outcomes, the Premier Volleyball League On Tour continues to defy predictions, thanks to the growing parity among teams.

That theme holds as action resumes today with a pivotal double-header at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City, kicking off the fifth week of the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Nxled, the tournament’s biggest early surprise, aims for a franchise-best 3-0 start when it tangles with winless Galeries Tower at 4 p.m.

The Chameleons ride high on back-to-back stunners over top-tier teams — Petro Gazz (3-2) and Choco Mucho (3-1) — in Batangas City, looking to sustain their momentum and stay within striking distance of the unbeaten PLDT High Speed Hitters (3-0) in Pool A.

Rookie standout Lyann de Guzman has powered Nxled’s dream run, firing 21 points in their gritty five-set escape against the reigning All-Filipino champions Angels, before uncorking 24 markers versus the Flying Titans.

But the Chameleons’ success goes beyond one star, with coach Ettore Guidetti also getting big contributions from Chiara Permentilla, EJ Cariño, Krich Macaslang and Jovelyn Fernandez, all stepping up in clutch moments.

On the other side, Galeries Tower may be reeling from two straight defeats, but the Highrisers have shown glimpses of potential. Jewel Encarnacion, Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo continue to deliver quality outings, while promising rookie Jean Asis is emerging as one of the team’s future centerpieces.

Still, to stop the surging Chameleons, the Highrisers must learn to execute under pressure — especially during the tight endgame stretches that have plagued them so far.

Meanwhile, the 6:30 p.m. clash between Akari and Capital1 in Pool B is shaping up to be a crucial showdown with quarterfinal implications.