MANILA — Brooke Van Sickle marked her return from a shoulder injury with a commanding performance as the Nxled Chameleons crushed the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-16, 25-20, 25-18, to open their 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference campaign in emphatic fashion on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Playing her first competitive match after missing two conferences, the Nxled team captain delivered 11 points, including 10 attacks, and eight excellent digs to spearhead the Chameleons’ straight-sets demolition of PLDT.
Van Sickle had been sidelined by a minor tear in her right shoulder, forcing her to miss the entire PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference.
Despite her absence, the Chameleons reached the Invitational Conference finals before settling for a runner-up finish against guest team EST Cola.
Her much-awaited comeback provided an immediate boost as Nxled displayed offensive firepower and defensive stability to overwhelm the High Speed Hitters.
The Chameleons dictated the tempo from the opening set, cruising to a 25-16 victory before overcoming PLDT’s resistance in the second frame, 25-20.
Nxled maintained its momentum in the third set, pulling away for a 25-18 triumph to complete the sweep and secure its first victory of the conference.
Myla Pablo and Jacqueline Acuña provided offensive support with nine points apiece, while Jonah Sabete-Escamillan contributed seven markers and 12 excellent receptions.
Setter Gel Cayuna directed Nxled’s attack with 14 excellent sets while adding seven points of her own.
Savannah Davison finished with 10 points for PLDT, which struggled to establish a consistent offensive rhythm against the Chameleons’ balanced attack.
The victory gave Nxled a promising start to its All-Filipino campaign as the team seeks to build on its runner-up finish in the previous conference, this time with Van Sickle back in the lineup.
Meanwhile, the Farm Fresh Foxies also opened their campaign on a winning note, sweeping the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-23, 25-22, 25-15.
Farm Fresh survived tight battles in the first two sets before dominating the third to secure its first victory in the Siklab Series.
Mylene Paat Rezanova powered the Foxies with 14 points built on 11 attacks and three blocks, earning Player of the Game honors.
Trisha Tubu and Victonara Galang added nine points each, while setter Louie Romero distributed 12 excellent sets and contributed three markers.
Maicah Larroza strengthened Farm Fresh’s floor defense with 11 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs while scoring one point.
Erika Jin Deloria led Galeries Tower with 10 points and 10 excellent digs in a losing effort.
Top overall draft pick Camilla Lamina, meanwhile, made her PVL debut for the Highrisers, registering nine excellent sets and two points./PN
