Nxled leaned on its imposing blocking wall and Myla Pablo’s clutch heroics to fend off a determined Farm Fresh comeback, pulling off a thrilling 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 15-12 victory in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Filoil Centre in San Juan on Saturday.
The Chameleons unleashed 23 blocks against just six by the Foxies, then turned to the seasoned Pablo in the deciding set as they recovered from a two-set meltdown to preserve their unbeaten record and join Choco Mucho atop the early standings with 2-0 slates.
Farm Fresh, meanwhile, dropped to 1-1 in the three-series conference.
Despite yielding Best Player of the Game honors to Brooke Van Sickle, Pablo delivered when it mattered most, scoring Nxled’s final four points to cap a tense fifth-set battle and deny the Foxies a stunning reversal.
Nxled clawed back from a 0-2 deficit in the decider to draw level at five before surviving four more deadlocks and taking an 8-7 lead at the changeover on three straight hits by Van Sickle.
After MJ Phillips broke the last tie at nine with a putaway off a Farm Fresh overpass, the Chameleons moved two points clear, 11-9, on a Ces Molina attack error.
Pablo then took command, scoring three consecutive points to counter a Trisha Tubu blast and a Molina hit. Her final thunderous spike was dug by Alohi Robins-Hardy, but a costly miscommunication on the second ball gave Nxled match point.
Royse Tubino saved one for Farm Fresh with an offensive hit, but Pablo fittingly delivered the finishing blow with a resounding block against Tubino, sealing the victory and preventing the Chameleons from squandering a commanding lead in a fiercely contested endgame.
Pablo’s decisive finish underscored Nxled’s strength at the net, where its 23 blocks proved the difference against a Farm Fresh side that struggled to penetrate the Chameleons’ defensive wall, particularly in the opening two sets.
Van Sickle, who earned Best Player of the Game honors, led Nxled with 20 points, including six blocks, and 16 excellent digs in the two-hour, 19-minute encounter.
“I’m very tired,” Van Sickle said moments after the hard-fought win.
After gathering herself, however, she expressed pride in her team’s determination to hold on despite Farm Fresh’s spirited fightback.
“We have become predictable and really glad and happy for the team for digging big,” she said.
Van Sickle also credited the Foxies for adjusting well after falling behind by two sets and forcing a decider.
“We really have to give it to Farm Fresh. They made good adjustments as the game went on,” she added.
Virtually written off after yielding the first two sets, Farm Fresh found its rhythm in the third, grinding out a close set before pulling away late in the fourth to force a decider. The Foxies’ improved attack and adjustments appeared to have neutralized Nxled’s early dominance, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Farm Fresh struck first in the fifth set, taking the opening two points, but Nxled quickly regained its footing. Jonah Escamillan broke the Chameleons’ silence with three consecutive strikes, while Van Sickle stepped up midway through the set to help turn the tide and give Nxled the lead at the changeover.
From there, Pablo took over, delivering the points that ultimately settled the contest.
Pablo backed Van Sickle with 17 points, while Acuña added 12, including seven blocks, to bolster Nxled’s formidable frontline. Phillips chipped in 11 points, highlighted by clutch slide attacks, while Escamillan contributed nine and Jovelyn Fernandez six to underscore the Chameleons’ balanced scoring and depth.
Gel Cayuna also orchestrated Nxled’s offense with 31 excellent sets, eight more than Robins-Hardy, following her 14-set performance in the Chameleons’ sweep of the PLDT High Speed Hitters last Tuesday.
For Farm Fresh, it was a painful setback after a spirited recovery that brought the Foxies within reach of a remarkable comeback. They matched the Chameleons’ intensity over the final three sets but faltered when the match was on the line.
Molina led Farm Fresh with 16 points, followed by Mylene Rezanova with 12. Cruz, Trisha Tubu and rookie Jonna Perdido added nine points apiece, while Riri Meneses and Ara Galang chipped in seven and six, respectively, reflecting the Foxies’ own balanced attack.
