Myla Pablo, MJ Phillips lead Nxled’s veteran-youth push ahead of All-Filipino Conference 

Nxled is embracing a new chapter built on balance—where championship pedigree meets youthful hunger—and at the center of that transition are Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips, two veterans eager to help lift the Chameleons from the league’s lower tier and into contention in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

Fresh off Petro Gazz’s decision to take a leave of absence, Pablo and Phillips arrive at Nxled alongside a core of Angels players who captured both the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conference titles last season. For a team coming off a winless campaign, the move signals a clear shift in direction: rebuild with experience, but grow with youth.

For Pablo, a two-time MVP and five-time Best Outside Hitter, the challenge is exactly what excites her most. She sees Nxled’s young core—led by Lyann De Guzman and Mayang Nuique—not as a gap to be filled, but as an opportunity to build something sustainable.

“And sabi ko nga sa inyo, yung young players, maganda talagang i-mix yan sa mga veterans kasi yung mga young players, mataas yung energy nila at may gustong patunayan,” said the 32-year-old outside hitter.

“Kami, as veterans, mas magulang na rin maglaro. I think naman magiging maganda yung kalalabasan namin this conference, and siyempre, with Coach Ettore na grabe din yung focus sa amin bilang team.”

Pablo believes leadership goes both ways. While she hopes to guide Nxled’s rising talents, she is just as eager to draw inspiration from their energy and fresh approach.

“Ako, sobrang excited din, especially na makakasama ko yung mga young players. Excited din ako na may matutunan ako sa kanila, and also, as a veteran talaga, I hope na may matutunan din sila sa akin.”

That shared growth will be shaped under Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti, whose international background has already left a strong impression on Pablo.

“I’m really excited din with Coach Ettore—kung paano siya magpa-training. I know na bagong sistema, pero for sure naman hindi rin mahihirapan kasi una, naging Filipino coach naman, Japanese, American, and ngayon Italian. So I’m really happy and excited,” she said.

“Ako, sobrang excited din naman sa mga training namin with Coach Ettore kasi kami naman, kailangan talaga maganda yung trabaho mo—kasi kung maganda yung trabaho mo, magiging maganda yung performance mo.”

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JUST IN: Nxled welcomes former Petro Gazz players MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo, and Jules Tolentino to the team. (: Nxled) #PVL2026 | via @kennedyzcaacbay pic.twitter.com/TdeXLUevXh

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Alongside Pablo, MJ Phillips brings size, defensive presence, and Finals-tested composure to the middle. The two-time Finals MVP is embracing Nxled’s underdog identity, confident that the team’s mix of veterans and youth can surprise the league.

“Yeah, Nxled, they came from the bottom, or one of the bottom teams. So it’s gonna be a challenge, but we’re all up for it,” Phillips said.

“Like she said. I mean, also, who doesn’t like an underdog story? Honestly, I think it’d be great. So, we’re up for the challenge.”

Early practices have already given Phillips reason for optimism. She noted the competitiveness in training and the willingness of players—young and old alike—to buy into the system.

“I just want Nxled to, I’m excited for us to challenge the other teams a little bit more. Like she said that, like, we’ve been having a couple of practices with the full Nxled team right now and it’s been really competitive in the gym,” Phillips said.

“The girls are really easygoing. So I think the jelling process is gonna be pretty easy and quick. So, I’m excited.”

Phillips is also eager to learn under Guidetti, calling his international résumé a major draw in her decision to join the Chameleons.

“And I’m excited for an Italian coach. I’ve never been under an Italian coach before. And he has a strong background with coaching. So I feel like I have a lot to learn from him.”

The familiarity of reuniting with former Petro Gazz teammates has helped ease the transition, turning what could have been a rebuild into a fresh start with chemistry already forming.

“And yeah, I’m just glad that a lot of the Petro Gazz girls are with me still. And to be able to be with new players, it’s just like a fresh start. And I’m like really excited for what we have to showcase next.”

With Pablo’s leadership, Phillips’ presence in the middle, and Guidetti’s structured system, Nxled isn’t just hoping to move on from the bottom—they’re aiming to redefine who they are.

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