Pablo takes over in clutch as Chameleons block way past Foxies

Games on Tuesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. – Capital1 vs. ZUS Coffee
3:30 p.m. – NU Archipelago Builders vs. VNS (Spikers’ Turf)
6 p.m. – PLDT vs. Akari

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 Playtime 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 records.

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.

Cool Smashers drub Highrisers

Creamline showed why championship experience remains its greatest weapon, shaking off a rare first-set stumble against unfancied Galeries Tower to fashion a 27-29, 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 victory and force a three-way tie for the lead in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan late Saturday.

Stunned by the Highrisers’ gritty stand in an extended opening-set duel, the Cool Smashers responded with the poise, firepower and depth that have defined their championship pedigree, dominating the next three frames to complete the two-hour, eight-minute victory before a cheering pro-Creamline crowd.

The loss of the opening set was an uncommon setback for a team accustomed to overcoming adversity, particularly against an opponent not considered among the conference favorites. But rather than let the setback linger, Creamline regrouped and took control, turning a tense encounter into a commanding finish.

After surrendering the first frame in a two-point thriller, the Cool Smashers raised their level of play and won the next three sets by convincing margins of seven, six and seven points. The emphatic response underscored their ability to absorb an early blow and strike back with authority as they tied the Nxled Chameleons and Choco Mucho Flying Titans for the early lead.

“We had a slow start, we had a hard time to execute where we had to deal with our basic errors, including blocking on the right side,” said Tots Carlos, who spearheaded the attack with 13 points.

Carlos also credited their resurgence to rediscovering their rhythm following a challenging campaign last season, leaning on the team’s classic “happy, happy” mantra.

Creamline’s depth was on full display as multiple players stepped up. Jema Galanza delivered a stellar all-around performance with 12 points, 12 excellent digs and 11 receptions, while Alyssa Valdez chipped in 10 markers.

Bea de Leon anchored the net defense with eight points, including four blocks, alongside Michele Gumabao and Pangs Panaga, who added seven points each. Rose Vargas and playmaker Jia de Guzman rounded out the balanced offense with five points apiece, with De Guzman orchestrating the attack with 16 excellent sets.

Erika Deloria fought valiantly to keep Galeries Tower afloat, leading all scorers with 21 points. Shola Alvarez and Jean Asis provided 11 and nine markers, respectively, but the Highrisers ultimately lacked the depth to match Creamline’s high-powered offense in the last three sets, sliding to their second consecutive defeat.

Statistical dominance defined the match as Creamline overwhelmed Galeries Tower in attack points (71-50) and blocks (9-4). While the Highrisers managed a 9-2 advantage in aces, the Cool Smashers’ overwhelming superiority in spiking and overall execution sealed the victory. The Cool Smashers exploited their power and quickness while sharpening their ball distribution, making it increasingly difficult for Galeries Tower to sustain its defensive resistance at the net and across the floor.

The Highrisers had briefly silenced the crowd with their clutch hits and composure in the opening frame, capitalizing on Creamline’s uncharacteristic lapse to draw first blood against a franchise boasting 11 championships. The momentum, however, proved short-lived as the Cool Smashers reasserted their authority in the ensuing sets.

Galeries Tower threatened to pull off another shocker against Creamline, racing to a 5-1 start in the second frame. But the veteran Cool Smashers had seen and endured enough, orchestrating a trademark surge powered by their depth and championship experience.

It did not take long for Creamline to seize control, claiming a 9-8 edge behind Vargas’ clinical through-the-block kill. While the resilient Highrisers tried to stay within striking distance, they simply had no answer for the Cool Smashers’ mid-set breakaway.

Creamline stormed ahead to a 16-12 cushion before unleashing an 8-5 flurry to reach set point at 24-17.

Aiza Pontillas saved one for Galeries Tower with a powerful blast, but Erin Pangilinan emphatically shut the door with a block, leveling the match at one set apiece. The dominant finish swung the momentum decisively to the crowd favorites, who also leaned on clutch contributions from Asian Games veteran Bernadette Pons, Gumabao, Valdez and Vargas.

Creamline gets a weeklong break before resuming its campaign against ZUS Coffee next Saturday, also at the San Juan venue.