“At first, I was shy because I used to idolize them”: Lyann De Guzman on playing with stars at Nxled

The Nxled Chameleons leaned on poise, experience, and late-game execution from their star players to survive a gritty five-set battle against the Farm Fresh Foxies, pulling off a 25-23, 13-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-12 victory in their opening match of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 3, at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan.

From the opening serve, the match was a back-and-forth affair. Both teams exchanged leads in a contest marked by momentum swings, extended rallies, and tactical adjustments. Nxled showed its composure when it mattered most—particularly in the deciding fifth set—snapping Farm Fresh’s resistance and securing a confidence-boosting win to kick off their campaign.

Reigning PVL Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle led the way in her highly anticipated debut for the Chameleons, delivering an all-around performance with 20 points. Fellow debutant Myla Pablo provided timely scoring and defensive stability, finishing with 19 points and six digs to earn Player of the Game honors, while MJ Phillips contributed 13 points. The trio of former Petro Gazz Angels standouts immediately justified their star billing, providing a combination of experience, skill, and leadership that proved vital in high-pressure moments.

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Adding an extra spark off the bench was Lyann De Guzman, the 23-year-old former UAAP standout and fourth overall pick from last year’s PVL Rookie Draft. De Guzman finished with seven points and was instrumental in helping Nxled force the fourth set and eventually the deciding fifth set. After the match, she admitted it was an honor to share the court with players she once idolized.

“At first, I was shy because I used to idolize them, and now they are my teammates. But I’m really happy because bonding with them has been easy. Everyone’s easy to approach and willing to connect,” De Guzman said.

The young rookie emphasized the value of learning from her more seasoned teammates, particularly Van Sickle and Pablo, who are former PVL MVPs.

WATCH: Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti and Lyann De Guzman relish teaming up with the core of defending champion. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/j1jJbM28bf

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“I have learned so much from my ates, ate Brooke, ate Myla. What’s great is that they are really willing to help us perform at our best. It creates healthy competition because everyone wants to help each other improve. We really feel like one team,” she added.

Van Sickle herself praised De Guzman’s contributions, noting that her energy and scoring in the fourth set were crucial in keeping Nxled alive.

“I thought Lyann, especially being one of the young guns, she did a fantastic job. She came in and produced a lot of points and a lot of energy. Myla as always, killing it. Coach obviously believed in everyone, so it was definitely a full team effort,” Van Sickle said.

Farm Fresh, meanwhile, showed promise under Japanese tactician Koji Tsuzurabara, who led the team to strong defensive plays and solid coordination despite the loss. The Foxies’ ability to counter Nxled’s star trio and extend the match to five sets indicates a team that is growing quickly under his system.

The match was also a showcase of team depth and strategy, with Nxled’s coaches rotating players strategically to manage fatigue and exploit matchups. The combination of veteran experience, rookie energy, and tactical awareness ultimately allowed the Chameleons to withstand Farm Fresh’s surges.

With this win, Nxled not only earns an early confidence boost but also begins to integrate its new roster pieces and establish a cohesive identity heading into the long All-Filipino Conference. The Chameleons will aim to maintain momentum when they face the Capital1 Solar Spikers next on Saturday, February 7, at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

For De Guzman, the game was a reminder of the growth opportunities that come from playing alongside experienced stars. For Nxled as a whole, the match serves as a statement that, with the blend of young talent and veteran leadership, the Chameleons are ready to emerge as one of the early contenders in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

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