Nxled debuted in the Premier Volleyball League with a bang after thumping Gerflor, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, at the start of the All-Filipino Conference on Sunday, Oct. 15, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Chameleons immediately displayed cohesion inside the court despite being neophytes in the league, attacking the Defenders on all angles to make their title campaign felt.

Lycha Ebon pumped in 14 points built on 12 kills and two blocks to spearhead Nxled’s assault including the 7-0 run in the third frame that untangled them from a 12-all deadlock to a 19-12 lead.

The high-flying Ebon unleashed her might with down-the-line kills to weaken Gerflor’s net defense despite the resilient counter-attacks of Jenny Gaviola, Bien Juanillo and Danika Gendrauli.

The Defenders, though, refused to give up the fight easily and even saved a matchpoint with a block from Jhona Rosal, 24-18, before a service error sealed their doom.

Jho Maraguinot also paced Nxled with 11 points including nine attacks, while Krich Macaslang and May Luna chipped in seven points apiece. Judith Abil also contributed six points including two from the service line.

Though it swept Gerflor, Nxled experienced hiccups along the way.

Leaning on a 19-9 cushion in the opening frame, the Chameleons saw the Defenders adjusting on their game by winning the next four points to cut the lead to 19-13.

But Nxled was quick to regroup and claimed the set, keeping the momentum going in the second by banking on their short serves that exposed Gerflor’s weak floor defense.

None from Gerflor scored in double figures with Gaviola managing with only nine points and Gendrauli adding seven points.

So dominant were the Chameleons that they fired 42 attacks compared to the Defenders’ 30, and had nine blocks and six aces.

Nxled also took advantage of Gerflor’s erratic plays by claiming 18 points off the latter’s errors – seven of which in the second set.