Photo: PVL
The Nxled Chameleons outlasted the Galeries Tower Highrisers in five nail-biting sets, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 25-27, 15-12, to start their PVL 2024 Reinforced Conference campaign on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.
Despite only having one day of training with the Chameleons, the 6’2 American middle blocker Meegan Hart made her presence felt in Nxled’s opener as she dropped 19 points built from 12 attacks and seven blocks.
“It was great, we got a win so it’s always great but I’m feeling really welcomed in the Philippines. So far, the experience has been awesome. I’m really excited to be here with the team and win a lot of games,” Hart said.
Nxled had a slow start in the fifth set before May Luna went on a 4-0 run to pump some life back into the Chameleons.
Both teams traded blows midway through the set, but Hart and Jaila Atienza, who also scored nine points in the match, lifted Nxled to a 12-9 lead.
The Highrisers cut the deficit to one, but Chiara Permentilla and Hart took matters into their own hands and scored the last two points to secure the Chameleons’ first victory in Pool A.
As great as her performance was, Hart quickly deflected the credit to her teammates.
“It’s just leaning on your teammates. I always put my best foot forward and I’m always ready in a sense, you know, in this league, and in all leagues, you always have to be ready, so it’s just trusting in my game and in my teammates, and the coaching staff, and they trust me and that gives me the confidence to go out there and play my heart out,” she said.
Luna provided spark off the bench with 15 points, including seven attacks, five blocks, and two aces. Permentilla chipped in 14 points, while Atienza and Lycha Ebon had nine markers apiece.
Nxled also received solid contributions from the Maraguinot sisters. The younger Jaja tallied 17 excellent sets, while Jhoana had an all-around game with eight points and 10 excellent digs.
On the other hand, France Ronquillo led the scoring for Galeries Tower with 17 points. Thai import Chuewulim Sutadtad scored 14 points, while Roselle Baliton and Andrea Marzan added 12 points each.
Liberos Rachel Jorvina and Alyssa Eroa had an intense battle on thefloor, with 19 and 24 excellent digs, respectively.
The Chameleons will be aiming for their second win against the Khat Bell-backed Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Saturday at 2 p.m., still at the PhilSports Arena.