All eyes are on Nxled following a major revamp that turned the young squad into a legitimate title contender heading into the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
Now sporting the core of last year’s champion Petro Gazz led by three-time Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle and Myla Pablo, the Chameleons face high expectations.
And Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti is not afraid of embracing the challenge.
“Well, it’s obviously a challenge — and it’s something that I accept, embrace, and I am blessed to be the coach,” the mentor said during the season-ending tournament’s presser Wednesday at the Discovery Suites.
Nxled took advantage of the four-time titlists Angels releasing their players to free agency after announcing their withdrawal.
Aside from Van Sickle and former MVP Pablo, other ex-Petro Gazz in the team are MJ Phillips, rookie setter Jules Tolentino, Jonah Sabete, Djanel Cheng, Nicole Tiamzon, Bang Pineda, Ranya Musa, AA Adolfo and Jellie Tempiatura, which in a way turned the Chameleons into the “virtual defending champions.”
Other key additions are Aby Marano, Aduke Ogunsanya and setter Joyme Cagande while the holdovers are Lyann de Guzman, Chiara Permentilla, Krich Macaslang, Lucille Almonte, Jovelyn Fernandez, EJ Laure and Mayang Nuique.
With a deep arsenal at his disposal, there’s an obvious pressure on Guidetti.
“So, yes, it’ll be difficult. Yes, it’ll be hard. But honestly, I’m not scared, I’m excited,” he boldly stated.
Nxled will get its first acid test on 3 February against rejigged Farm Fresh at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.