Nxled overcame a feisty Vietnamese guest team Ho Chi Minh City, 25-20, 31-33, 25-17, 25-22, to stay in the hunt for a final berth in the 2026-2027 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.     

Veteran spiker Jonah Sabete-Escamillan fired 18 points on 15 attacks, one kill block and one ace to lead the Chameleons in a crucial rebound from a previous setback for a 2-2 win-loss record tied with defending champion PLDT.

Escamillan added 15 digs and 20 excellent receptions for Nxled, which battles Farm Fresh on Sunday for a chance to vie for the crown.

Nxled had some anxious moments in the fourth set after the Vietnamese trimmed down a 19-10 deficit to 22-21. The Chameleons fired back with a closing 3-1 run capped by MJ Phillips’ back-to-back hits.

Myla Pablo had 18 points, including five kill blocks, Phillips added 17 markers while EJ Carino and Jackie Acuna chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively, for the Chameleons. Gel Cayuna tallied 35 excellent sets to help Nxled pummel 72 attack points.

Ho Chi Minh City fell to a 1-3 card to bomb out of the championship seat contention.

Dang Thi Kim Thanh finished with 15 points, 14 coming off kills, while Ho Thi Bich Diep and Dao Thi Nhung scored 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Vietnamese club.