MANILA – Lyann de Guzman had an impressive professional debut as NxLed Chameleons pulled off a 25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-10 upset over Petro Gazz Angels in the PVL on Tour on Saturday night at the Batangas City Sports Center.
The former Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles standout finished with 21 points, on 18 attacks and three service aces, to be named Player of the Game as the Chameleons tied the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on top of Pool A with a 1-0 record.
De Guzman, the fourth overall pick by the Chameleons in the recent PVL Rookie Draft, admitted being nervous heading into the match, but managed to stay composed with the help of her teammates.
“Happy ako kasi tinulungan ako ng mga ates ko. Sobrang kabado talaga ako, pero with their help and the coaches, mas naging kalmado ako,” De Guzman said after the win. “Hindi ko rin naman magagawa ito kung hindi dahil sa teammates ko.”
After carrying the scoring for the Chameleons in their 25-15 fourth set win, De Guzman once again stepped up for her team in the fifth frame, breaking the 9-all score with back-to-back hits.
Chiara Permentilla then took over with three straight points to make it 14-9 count. After the Angels saved a match point, Permentilla converted an off-the-block hit to complete the come-from-behind win.
Meanwhile, the Titans toppled the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-19, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, to kick off their campaign.
Maria Lina “Isa” Molde finished with 20 points from 19 attacks and one block, while Desiree Cheng added 13 markers for the Flying Titans, who will likely play the entire season without Cherry Ann Rondina due to her national beach volleyball team commitment.
“Ang daming nagbago, ang daming nawala sa team, pero ‘yung coaches namin nandyan pa din,” Molde said during her Player of the Game interview. “Ang sabi lang sa amin is walang magbabago kung maglalaro kami ng masaya.”
“Ang gusto lang naman ng coaches is gawin namin kung ano ‘yung ginagawa namin sa practice, kaya sa practice pa lang bomba na talaga,” added the former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star./PN
