Nxled Chameleons coach Taka Minowa. –PVL PHOTO
Nxled’s maiden Premier Volleyball League (PVL) campaign turned out to be a relative success compared to other newcomers—even head coach Taka Minowa was pleasantly surprised at what his Chameleons accomplished.
“Since I met [the Chameleons] the first day, I thought maybe we can win one or two (games) is a max,” Minowa said at on Saturday.
But after ending its All-Filipino Conference assignments on a high note by beating Farm Fresh, 25-22, 17-25, 25-20, 25-17, at University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City, Nxled surpassed that prediction.
“I am not sure [if we could get to] three and four wins. They’re very improved, it’s showing. Actually they are always trying to improve, trying to get out of the comfort zone, that’s why they made it,” Minowa, a first-time PVL coach, said.
Nxled finished with a 4-7 (win-loss) card tied with veteran team F2 Logistics. Unlike other league newcomers, the Chameleons did not have to wait long for a first franchise win as they triumphed right in their debut against Gerflor. Nxled also defeated sister team Akari and fellow newcomer Galeries.
Nxled Chameleons. –PVL PHOTO
The Foxies, whose wait for a first win spanned two conferences, ended the All-Filipino with a 2-9 card.
Minowa had nothing but praise not only for his Chameleons, but also for the players they’ve faced throughout the conference, especially the Foxies.
“[The Foxies] have good players and we need to do 120 percent, 100 isn’t enough [for] us against Farm Fresh because they are strong,” the Japanese mentor said. “Our players are still young, [and don’t] have a lot of experience. That’s why we need to make [them] strong.
“I like PVL, both players and teams. I think if all the girls here play in the national team [it will] make [the Philippines] a more strong team. You have … good players.”
Cams Victoria fueled the Chameleons after finishing with 17 points on 12 attacks and five blocks. Lycha Ebon added 15 pts on 13 attacks and two aces.
“We all know that coming into this conference, everyone was doubting us [and are saying] ‘Oh they’re just a sister team of Akari,’ but us, we’re so blessed [to be] in a company that takes care of us,” team captain Dani Ravena, who had 19 excellent digs, said.
“We’re just really happy to be given jobs doing what we love, which is volleyball. Our last game we just showed out … we needed to finish the conference with a win,” she added. INQ
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