PVL: Coach Chen Gang heads home as Nxled wrap up campaign

Nxled coach Chen Gang in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese coach Chen Gang heads home to his country to ponder his future after a one-win stint with the Nxled Chameleons in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

The Chameleons missed the chance to end the conference on a high note, allowing the Cignal HD Spikers to gain momentum for the 27-25, 25-20, 25-20 win on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Nxled, which was forced to rebuild after its coach Taka Minowa and core players transferred to sister team Akari,  only won its first game and then lost seven straight in the import-laden tournament under Chen, who now awaits the management’s decision on his return.

“I’m going home on Thursday for vacation and still awaiting the company’s next plan. I’m being asked to think [I probably ]want to come back. But I’m happy because in the last three months here, the team may not improved as fast as I wanted but they improved nonetheless,” said Chen through a translator.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference second round

Despite the forgettable results this conference, the Chinese coach still lauded his players’ efforts, especially import Meegan Hart.

“I felt really happy because in China there is no professional league, it’s only the national teams for China so when I came here, I was surprised at the number of volleyball teams that were showing this class of — this level of competition. There can be more improvements. When I came, the team that I was leading — I didn’t know any background, I just knew that it’s a new team,” said Chen.

“Although I did hope to have a better outcome,  I’m very happy that Meegan played well. It’s not ideal because usually when we get imports, should be either opposite or outside hitters. For her being a middle blocker, she played really well and adjusted well and adapted well with the team that has chosen her as their import.”

Nxled Chameleons and import Meegan Hart. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Hopefully, I will see more improvements in the Philippine Volleyball. I’m really happy,” he added.

Hart, who was Nxled’s chosen import over Xuanyao Jiang an, also enjoyed her first stint in Manila .

“I think it’s even better than I expected, the style of play is a little bit different than what I was used to, it was a lot faster, more defensive, quicker sets, and stuff like that. It was a bit of adjustment in blocking, quicker faster in the area,” Hart said.

“It was a  good experience, I learned a lot from it and so I thank everyone who supported us and we just take it, learn from it, and grow.”

The import middle blocker, though, urged her teammates to forget their 1-7 stint and move on to do better in the All-Filipino Conference in November. 

“Not dwell on it, they’re a young team and there’s so much potential and growth ahead of them. I think our games were so frustrating because seeing in practice, we can win those games and there’s some potential there. Just forget about it and take it as a learning experience to grow and push forward,” Hart said.