Chameleons escape Highrisers for first win in Reinforced Conference


At a glance

  • Nxled turned back Galeries Tower, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 15-12 to open its campaign on a high note in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, July 16.


Nxled turned back Galeries Tower, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 15-12 to open its campaign on a high note in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, July 16.

PVL RC 2024 Nxled vs. Galeries - Megan Hart-8125.jpg
Meegan Hart stars for the Nxled Chameleons. (PVL Images)

The Chameleons regained their pace from a tight fourth-set loss to pick up their first win under new Chinese mentor Gang Chen.

May Luna, Chiara Permentilla and import Meegan Hart led the charge for Nxled, which recovered from a 0-3 start in the deciding fifth set by unloading five straight points to grab the 5-3 upperhand.

Galeries Tower refused to surrended behind the efforts of Andrea Marzan and France Ronquillo, even keeping the game close with a 13-12 deficit, but back-to-back hits from Permentilla and Hart sealed the match.

Hart saw action for the Chameleons even if they have another import in the lineup in Jiang Xuanyao. The middle blocker from Iowa State University and Colorado University paced Nxled with 19 points built on 12 points and seven blocks, while Luna chipped in 17 points including 15 on attacks.

Permentilla also shone with 14 points highlighted by five blocks and two aces.

Galeries Tower also had last-minute changes with its import as Thai spiker Sutadta Chuewulim took over the spot of Brazilian spiker Monique Helena in the match. Helena, however, is still in the lineup.

It marked the return of Chuewulim, a former Thai national team member, in the PVL scene after playing for BanKo Perlas in the 2019 Reinforced Conference.

Nxled came close to clinching the match early after leading late in the fourth set, but crucial service errors from Jho Maraguinot and Hart gave Galeries Tower the needed composure to extend the match.

Ronquillo scored 17 points, while Chuewulim added 14 points in a losing effort for the Highrishers.