Hot Chameleons temper expectations
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Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti is tempering expectations despite Nxled’s promising position in the chase for an outright quarterfinals seat in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour.
From a cellar-dweller in the season-opening tournament, the Chameleons have shown vast improvement after an unbeaten three-game romp for a share of the lead in Pool A of the pre-season tilt.
Behind EJ Laure-Carino and Jov Fernandez, Nxled hit a franchise milestone with their best start after a quick work of Galeries Tower, 26-24, 25-23, 25-23, last Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
But Guidetti would rather have his players control their emotions and stay focused on the big picture.
“So, right now, we have a speech, I think, about 10 days ago. And we said, okay, right now, people are not considering us anymore, the worst team or something like this or the dark horse. I don’t know how to define it,” he said.
The Chameleons have already bounced back from a disappointing All-Filipino Conference campaign where they finished last in the 12-club field with a 1-10 slate.
Nxled started hot with rookie Lyann De Guzman providing the spark in wins over AFC champion Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho in Batangas.
It was the veterans’ turn, led by Laure-Carino and Fernandez, to carry the Chameleons to victory over the winless Highrisers.
Guidetti warned his team of complacency and to learn to tune out the outside noise.
“So, we have to start thinking about it and accepting a little bit of extra pressure more. So, what we try to do during practice is to increase our pressure. And to have a natural managing of the game, like all the sets today,” the mentor said.
“But at the same time, to try to become a little bit deaf about what is outside. Because the truth is that every single conference is different. And every single match is totally different.”
Laure-Carino, who joined the Chameleons last conference after parting ways with long-time club Chery Tiggo, was not surprised at all, knowing the hard work the team has put in after the AFC.
