PVL: Nxled wins back-to-back but coach Taka rues ‘tight’ showing

Nxled coach Taka Minowa and the Chameleons in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Nxled may have earned its first franchise winning streak in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), but Japanese coach Taka Minowa wasn’t satisfied with the Chameleons’ performance on Thursday.

The Chameleons stayed in semifinal contention in the second All-Filipino Conference after ousting Galeries Tower, 25-22, 25-18, 25-17, on Thursday but Minowa rued his team’s lackadaisical showing in the first two sets.

“Actually, from the first and second sets, our players were moving tight. I think they were kinda afraid to play inside the court against Galeries. I wanna say (it’s) a bad game even though we win 3-0. Our purpose is (to) improve more but they tried to just focus on winning which is why the players were moving tight,” said Minowa. “They didn’t have communication today but in the third set it was very good, they tried talking inside the court.”

“Krich [Macaslang] was the one who tried to make it good mood inside the court. [She’s] very good,” he added.

Macaslang energized her teammates as the middle blocker provided the much-needed spark for Nxled with 11 points on 8-of-12 attacking clip, two aces, and a block.

Nxled Chameleons’ Krich Macalsang. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

She joined hands with Jho Maraguinot to erase a 16-21 deficit in the opening frame after conspiring for a 9-1 run to draw the first blood. The Chameleons also needed to break an 18-all tie in the second set with Chiara Permentilla sparking a 7-0 run capped by Kamille Cal’s back-to-back aces to take a two-set lead.

“I observed that my teammates were quiet in the first set. But instead of being worried, I stepped up and played vocal. I tried to energize them in a good win. It’s okay if I won’t score a point as long as I can help my team,” said Macaslang said in Filipino.

“I just enjoyed the game and I’m glad that I was able to help my teammates. We’re still happy with this result.”

Nxled dominated the third set to seal the win in one hour and 26 minutes. Maraguinot led the way with 13 points, seven digs, and six excellent receptions. Lycha Ebon chipped in 10 points, while Cams Victoria added eight markers including three blocks.

Nxled improved to 3-5 good for eighth place just a game behind its sister team Akari (3-5), which it beat in four sets two days ago.

Galeries bombed out of semifinal contention in its first conference in the PVL after remaining winless in seven games, joining Farm Fresh (1-7) and Gerflor (0-7).

Andrea Marzan led Highrisers with 11 points, while Audrey Paran added nine points.