Manila: The Nxled Chameleons' true mettle will be tested by the Farm Fresh Foxies when they meet at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the other game will pit ZUS Coffee against Capital1 at 6:30 p.m. All four teams will be gunning to join opening-day winners Cignal and Choco Mucho atop the early standings. Nxled underwent a major overhaul, with the core of a four-time champion squad now spearheading its campaign. Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips already share a championship-tested bond from their time with the Petro Gazz Angels. That familiarity extends to former teammates Djanel Cheng, Jonah Sabete, Bang Pineda, Jellie Tempiatuira, Nicole Tiamzon and Ranya Musa.
Seasoned veterans Aby Mara±o and Aduke Ogunsanya were added to the roster, which has holdovers Lyann de Guzman, Chiara Permentilla, Krich Macaslang, Mayang Nuique, Lucille Almonte, EJ Laure and Jovelyn Fernandez. With a deep and battle-hardened line-up, Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti's task may be less about rebuilding and more about managing abundance - choosing the best options, then replacing them with even better ones.
Guidetti expressed his enthusiasm, stating, 'Well, it's obviously a challenge and it's something that I accept, embrace, and I am blessed to be the coach (of this team). So yes, it will be difficult. Yes, it will be hard. But honestly, I'm not scared. I'm excited,' in a news release Monday.
Farm Fresh has a new coach in Koji Tsuzurabara, who could prove to be a crucial equalizer, having previously handled several of Nxled's new stalwarts during her stint with the Angels - a run that culminated in an All-Filipino championship in 2025. The Foxies, eager to prove their worth, are led by mainstays Trisha Tubu, Alohi Robins-Hardy, Jolina dela Cruz, Ces Molina, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, Alyssa Bertolano and Louie Romero, with support coming from recruits Ara Galang, Mylene Paat, Royse Tubino, Remy Palma, Bia General and Imee Hernandez.
Meanwhile, the ZUS Coffee-Capital1 duel is also expected to be an exciting one. ZUS Coffee, coming off a breakthrough finals appearance in the Reinforced Conference, has further fortified its frontline and defense with the acquisition of Cess Robles, Rachel Anne Daquis, Chie Saet, Ren Pe±afiel and Karen Verdeflor. Spearheading the Thunderbelles are Riza Nogales, Thea Gagate, Chai Troncoso, Chinnie Arroyo, Kate Santiago, Fiola Ceballos, and elite playmaker Cloanne Mondonedo.
Capital1 believes it has assembled the right mix to challenge more established squads, leaning on new recruits Pauline Gaston, Jasmine Nabor and Shaya Adorador alongside Cherry Nunag, Ezra Madrigal, Ysa Jimenez, France Ronquillo and Rachel Jorvina. Bella Belen, Trisha Genesis, Leila Cruz, KC Galdones, Sydney Niegos, Jorelle Singh, Pia Abbu and Iris Tolenada make up the Solar Spikers' solid core.
