PVL: Nxled stops 15-game slide at expense of Galeries
Nxled Chameleons celebrate during a win over Galeries Tower Highrisers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Nxled snapped a 15-game losing streak by outlasting Galeries Tower, 25-20, 19-25, 25-14, 25-23, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Chameleons last won in the Reinforced Conference last year where they only won their opening game, under former Chinese coach Chen Gang, also against the Highrisers.
EJ Laure made the biggest difference with 19 points from 14 attacks and five blocks, Chiara Permentilla was also in the mix with 14 points, all but one off kills and May Luna-Lumahan added 12 points as Jaja Maraguinot effectively activated her hitters with 12 excellent sets.
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Coach Ettore and May Luna-Lumahan on ending a 15-game losing streak.
They last won a game in July in the opener of Reinforced Conference. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WZi929VgYL
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 8, 2025
“Siyempre sobrang happy lang din talaga. After ilang games na pinagtrabahuhan din namin, eto na nakamit na namin,” Laure said after lifting her new team to the breakthrough victory and a 1-8 standing, similar with Capital1.
“Worth it yung paghihintay and of course worth it yung pagod namin every day kasi mahirap talaga mag-training na puro ka talo. Parang kailan ba kami mananalo? Or mananalo ba kami today sa game? Worth it yung paghihintay and pagod namin—lahat,” Luna-Lumahan said.
It wasn’t a perfect game, especially after dropping the second set, but it was enough to allow Nxled to celebrate after Luna’s game-clinching cross-court kill also halted an eight-game slide in this conference.
The Highrisers still led at 11-13 before the duo of Jai Atienza and Laure allowed the Chameleons to regain the edge, 16-14.
The fourth frame was not guaranteed for either of the teams even as Laure pushed Nxled to match point and Jewel Encarnacion’s response, 24-23.
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Jho Maraguinot showed up opposite her former team with 14 points from 11 attacks, two aces and a block and Graze Bombita contributed 11 points, all from kills.
But their efforts were put to waste as Galeries Tower still absorbed an eighth loss in nine games, its fourth straight defeat.
It will be difficult for Nxled to build up on the win with Choco Mucho as their next task on Thursday at Philsports Arena. Galeries Tower looks to end a skid itself opposite another higher-ranked team in Petro Gazz next Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
