Nxled, PLDT eye quarters berth as PVL erupts in Cebu

Games today:

(USJ-R Coliseum)

4 p.m. — Nxled vs PLDT

6:30 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Farm Fresh

CEBU CITY — Volleyball fever hits a new high in Cebu City as Nxled and PLDT dispute Pool A supremacy and the first automatic quarterfinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour on Saturday at the University of San Jose-Recoletos Coliseum here.

With both teams carrying identical 3-0 slates, the 4 p.m. matchup is not just about preserving a perfect record — it’s a battle for bragging rights, momentum — and the coveted quarterfinal spot.

The Chameleons have been the breakout story of the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision, stunning perennial contenders Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho before capping their surge with a dominant straight-set victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers last 15 July.

Rookie sensation Lyann de Guzman has been instrumental in their dream run, delivering back-to-back scoring explosions against the Angels and Flying Titans. With veterans like Chiara Permentilla, EJ Cariño and Jovelyn Fernandez stepping up in support, the team has defied early expectations and morphed into a true contender.

But the High Speed Hitters are just as formidable, riding a wave of confidence after a pair of straight-set victories and a four-set win.

PLDT coach Rald Ricafort has his core clicking at the right time, with the seasoned tandem of Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes dominating at the net, and the comeback duo of Kim Dy and Jovie Prado adding veteran poise.

The emerging Kiesha Bedonia has also proven her mettle, making PLDT a tough team to crack from any angle.

The Nxled-PLDT showdown is more than just a volleyball game — it’s a grudge match between two title-hungry teams and a showcase of strategy, stamina and star power. With both benches stacked and coaches poised for tactical warfare, the outcome could come down to the finest adjustments and the crowd’s energy — and Cebu is never short on that.

Long revered as a volleyball hotbed, Cebu has produced some of the sport’s most promising talents and recently established its own V-League to help cultivate the next generation of stars. The city’s love for volleyball is palpable, and hosting a match of this magnitude only fuels its growing reputation as a sporting hub in the south.