VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — After stumbling in its debut in the 2026 PVL On Tour Showdown, Nxled bounced back in emphatic fashion, sweeping Capital1, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, on Saturday at the CHAVIT Coliseum here.

The victory not only evened the Chameleons’ record at 1-1 but also earned them the P100,000 winner’s prize for winning a game in the preseason tournament.

Myla Pablo led the way with 17 points built on 12 attacks, four blocks, and one ace, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan added 13 points on nine spikes, two blocks, and two aces.

Gel Cayuna efficiently orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets, as MJ Phillips and Jovelyn Fernandez contributed seven and six points, respectively, despite seeing limited action.

(C) PVL Images

“Well, to be honest, I think that we really enjoyed playing today. It was super fun… Really happy that everybody had the possibility to show that all of my players are super good. And especially the defense has been super nice. And I saw that also the crowd that they really enjoyed to see fighting that much in defense,” said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti after the one-hour, 58-minute victory.

Nxled seized control late in the third set after nursing a slim 18-17 lead. Escamillan and Pablo sparked a decisive 6-1 run to bring the Chameleons to match point at 24-18 before EJ Cariño sealed the victory with a service ace.

Escamillan also delivered the point that secured Nxled a hard-fought 25-23 second-set win, allowing the Chameleons to build a commanding two-set advantage despite committing 12 errors in the frame.

Rookie Irah Jaboneta, the fifth overall pick in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft, also impressed in her limited minutes. Sharing libero duties with veteran Bang Pineda, Jaboneta tallied nine excellent digs in just 11 reception attempts.

The Chameleons will look to extend their winning streak when the PVL On Tour heads to Polomolok, South Cotabato for the first time, where they face the Galeries Tower Highrisers on August 1.

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Capital1, meanwhile, dropped to 0-2 and will try to break into the win column on August 8 against the Creamline Cool Smashers in Santiago City, Isabela.

Shaya Adorador paced the Solar Spikers with six points, while also posting eight excellent receptions and nine digs. Trisha Genesis, Sydney Niegos, and Ysa Jimenez chipped in five points each in the losing effort.

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Youth will take center stage for the Philippine men’s national football team when it begins its campaign in the inaugural ASEAN Hyundai Cup after head coach Carles Cuadrat named a squad featuring several new faces alongside a core of experienced internationals.

With a number of regulars unavailable due to club commitments, the Philippines will rely on a younger roster as it aims to build on its semifinal finish in the 2024 edition of Southeast Asia’s premier men’s football tournament.

Among those receiving opportunities are forwards Raphael Ritarita, Andres Aldeguer, Aarran Long, and Martini Rey, goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang, defenders Jaime Rosquillo and John Lucero, midfielder Gavin Muens, and overseas-based prospects Noah Leddel and Kenji Nishioka.

Ritarita, 19, arrives after playing for Crown Legacy in MLS Next Pro in the United States, while Mangaoang has been making his mark with UMAK-Aguilas in the local football scene.

Despite the influx of fresh talent, the squad will still lean on several familiar names.

Midfield playmaker Sandro Reyes headlines the returning core along with Javier Mariona, Jarvey Gayoso, Cole Mrowka, Andrei Leipold, and Santi Rublico.

The defense will be marshaled by veteran Daisuke Sato, with Christian Rontini, Adrian Ugelvik, Scott Woods, and Rosquillo providing additional cover at the back.

Pocholo Bugas and Oskari Kekkonen strengthen the midfield, while Patrick Deyto and Quincy Kammeraad give the Philippines experienced options in goal after Kammeraad’s impressive showing during the team’s 2024 semifinal run.

Several established national team players, however, will miss the tournament due to club commitments.

The Philippines opens its Group B campaign against Myanmar on July 28 at New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.

The Filipinos will then travel to Vientiane to face Laos on Aug. 1 before returning home to host group favorite Thailand on Aug. 4. They conclude the group stage on Aug. 8 against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

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BATANGAS CITY — Even before making her much-awaited Premier Volleyball League debut, Lams Lamina had already won over Galeries Tower head coach Aying Esteban with her work ethic and eagerness to learn.

Esteban revealed that since joining the Highrisers, Lamina has been one of the team’s most attentive learners, constantly seeking guidance from the coaching staff and her veteran teammates as she works to improve her game and familiarize herself with the team’s system.

“Kahit sa training, tanong siya nang tanong sa mga teammates niya, sa amin, kung ano ang nangyayari,” said Esteban.

“‘Yun ang maganda sa kanya, hindi siya nagsasarili. Kumbaga, lagi siyang ano na matuto doon sa team namin.”

Lamina made her much-anticipated preseason debut for Galeries Tower on Saturday night, providing steady minutes behind team captain Julia Coronel as the Highrisers outlasted Farm Fresh, 25-17, 24-26, 25-19, 26-24, at the Batangas City Sports Center here.

The former National University standout recorded seven excellent sets, capably directing the Highrisers’ second unit and ensuring the team maintained its offensive rhythm whenever the starters went to the bench.

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Lamina also displayed remarkable poise in crunch time. She first set up Lycha Ebon for the go-ahead attack that gave Galeries Tower a 25-24 lead before delivering a perfectly placed one-handed set to Roselle Baliton, who hammered home the match-clinching quick attack.

While pleased with Lamina’s early showing, Esteban emphasized that the 24-year-old still has plenty to learn, particularly when it comes to running the Highrisers’ offensive system with greater consistency.

“Meron pa ring mga sa system namin na kailangan niya i-adapt pa, pero siyempre sa process pa rin ‘yun,” said Esteban.

Esteban, who took over as Galeries Tower head coach midway through the season-ending All-Filipino Conference, is encouraged by the direction the Highrisers are taking as the team continues to build chemistry with its revamped roster.

Still, despite the promising start, he stressed that the preseason is all about growth and hopes the team will continue building on its progress with every match.

“Ang laki, ang laki na ng changes. Ang laking pagbabago sa mentality, pagdating sa training. Natutuwa ako kasi hindi sila nagsasawa sa kung anong ginagawa namin. Grateful ako sa kanila sa ganoong ginagawa nila sa team namin.”

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