PVL: Nxled stages comeback victory vs Farm Fresh, keeps semifinal hopes alive

April 11 ------ Nxled kept its flickering semifinals hopes alive after eliminating Farm Fresh, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. With their second straight win, the Chameleons improved to 3-5 while pushing the Foxies down to 2-6 and out of contention. However, a win later in the day by PLDT over winless Strong Group will also boot out Nxled. 

The Foxies went on a rampage early in the fifth to take an 8-5 lead heading into the technical timeout but the Chameleons responded. Through the efforts of Chiara Permentilla, Lycha Ebon, and Krich Macaslang, Nxled rallied with seven straight points to overtake and get a 12-8 advantage. 

Chinnie Arroyo and Trisha Tubu tried to lift Farm Fresh with back-to-back conversions, but Kate Santiago and Tubu committed back-to-back errors. Then Camille Victoria denied Santiago at the net for the Nxled win in two hours and 39 minutes. “It’s really nice to see that we won in five sets because it was our first time having a five-setter,” said Chameleons head coach Taka Minowa. 

Permentilla had her moment with 16 points along with 16 excellent receptions, and eight digs. Meanwhile, Ivy Lacsina top-scored for Nxled with 21 points. Ebon added 17 points, while Victoria had 16. Macaslang rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11. “Jho (Maraguinot) was always the first six, but I remember last conference against Farm Fresh, Chiara (Permentilla) is a Farm Fresh killer so she played very good,” said Minowa on going with Permentilla the rest of the game. That was a callback to her 12-point performance last conference against the Foxies. 

Arroyo paced Farm Fresh with 19 points while Caitlin Viray, who started the match, produced 18 points. Santiago chimed in 11, while Tubu and Rizza Cruz each got 10 in the loss. Both teams will return on Saturday at the same Pasig venue. Farm Fresh will open the day at 2:00 PM against fellow also-ran Galeries. On the other hand, Nxled will face Creamline at 6:00 PM. 

Source: tiebreakertimes.com.ph