Who can stop Nxled?

Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

1 p.m. — Nxled vs Akari

3:30 p.m. — FEU-DN Steel vs AFP

6 p.m. — Creamline vs Choco Mucho

Undefeated Nxled sets its sights on clinching a semifinals seat and a sixth straight win in a faceoff against Akari in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With just five playdates left in the elimination round, the Final Four race is down to a mad dash to the finish.

Ahead of the pack are the Chameleons, who are playing perfect volleyball so far after five outings.

Nxled seeks to keep rolling in the 1 p.m. encounter against the Chargers to advance to the next round and maintain its course for a first-ever title following a runner-up finish in the Invitational Conference.

Bannered by a cohesive and experienced crew led by Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, MJ Phillips and Jackie Acuna, with decorated setter Gel Cayuna running the plays, the Chameleons are playing consistently at a high level.

Nxled’s efficient game plan silenced top Most Valuable Player contender Bella Belen when Nxled crushed Capital1, 25-13, 25-20, 25-18, last Saturday.

Chameleons head coach Ettore Guidetti credits the success of the team to his players buying in to the Italian mentor’s system.

“I know that every single coach is studying the games deeply. I know everybody’s got their own system and strategy, et cetera. But I really think that now the girls are really good at doing what I’m asking them to do,” he said.

“So, they know what I want. They don’t need a long speech or something like this. In two words, we organize our block and defense, and at the same time, our block tactic,” he added.

Blocking has been Nxled’s most efficient weapon aside from its attacking firepower, averaging 13.8 kill blocks per game.

Akari, on the other hand, is desperately in need of wins to stay inside the top four.

The Chargers sport a 3-3 win-loss record in a three-way tie at fourth to sixth with PLDT and Choco Mucho, behind third-running Farm Fresh (4-2).

It has been an on-and-off campaign for Akari, which played four of its six games in five sets.

Eli Soyud and Ivy Lacsina delivered the goods in the Chargers’ 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-14, rebound win over the Flying Titans last Saturday.

“Our remaining matches are not going to be easy. We need to double or triple our effort if we want to get into the Top Four,” Akari assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo said.

Meanwhile, defending champion Creamline and Choco Mucho clash in another classic sibling rivalry in the main game at 6 p.m.