Chameleons change color for the better

The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) offseason was anything but quiet, as teams across the league made aggressive, and sometimes franchise-altering moves in preparation for the 2026 All-Filipino Conference blasting off this weekend in San Juan.

From sweeping rebuilds to targeted upgrades, front offices turned the player market into a battleground, reshaping rosters and recalibrating expectations in what promises to be the most wide-open conference in years.

Among all the movers, no team has generated more intrigue than Nxled.

After a forgettable 2025 campaign that saw the Chameleons languish near, or at the bottom of the standings in both the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conferences, the franchise opted for nothing less than a full-scale reset.

That came into focus following the surprise leave of absence taken by Petro Gazz, the reigning champion in both conferences of the league organized by Sports Vision.

What followed was one of the daring offseason makeovers the league has ever seen, transforming Nxled from an evolving roster into an instant contender almost overnight.

Once built around promising young players and rotational pieces, the Chameleons now boast a core loaded with championship pedigree.

Headlining the overhaul are three-time league Most Valuable Player (MVP) Brooke Van Sickle, two-time MVP Myla Pablo and two-time Finals MVP MJ Phillips — a trio capable of carrying any team deep into the postseason.

Nxled doubled down by reuniting several former Petro Gazz Angels, including Jules Tolentino, Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng, Nicole Tiamzon, Bang Pineda, Ranya Musa, AA Adolfo and Jellie Tempiatura, giving the squad built-in chemistry and ensuring championship mindset.

The additions of middle blockers Aduke Ogunsanya and Aby Maraño, along with Joyme Cagande, further strengthened the roster’s balance across all positions.

Crucially, these veterans complement — rather than replace — a promising homegrown core led by Lyann de Guzman, Chiara Permentilla, Krich Macaslang, Mayang Nuique, Lucille Almone, EJ Laure and Jovelyn Fernandez. If the blend of experience and youth clicks, Nxled’s rise could be both immediate and sustained.

Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti understands the challenge ahead, noting that managing a talent-rich roster comes with its own pressures. Still, his experience — now in its 32nd professional year — may be exactly what Nxled needs to channel individual brilliance into collective success.

On paper, the Chameleons look like a championship threat. In practice, the question will be how quickly the pieces gel under the league’s new format, where depth, adaptability and late-season momentum matter more than ever. If Nxled finds rhythm early, it could complete one of the most dramatic turnarounds in PVL history.

Capital1 also made clear strides toward contention, building decisively around last year’s top overall pick Bella Belen. The three-time collegiate league MVP made an immediate impact in her rookie PVL campaign, leading the Solar Spikers to the Reinforced Conference quarterfinals and signaling the start of a new era for the franchise.