Nxled eked out an emotional 22-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-16, win over sister team Akari to end a five-game slump in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
A grieving May Luna, whose mother passed away Sunday in Davao, showed up and let it all loose on the floor, scoring 14 points including the match-winning kill for the Chameleons’ second win in seven outings.
Nxled players huddled around Luna after icing the game as the winger broke down in tears.
“It was very fulfilling. Other than wanting to win against our sister team, we had another motivation. And it was more of a spiritual and emotional type of motivation because it was special,” setter Kamille Cal, who dished out 28 excellent sets and added eight markers, said.
The Chameleons sport white ribbons to sympathize with Luna’s loss.
“It’s for the mother of Ate May who just passed away the other day. So, instead of going home, she decided to stay and play for this game. This was really an emotional win for us because of her.”
Jho Maraguinot added 13 points, 11 digs and nine excellent receptions, Lycha Ebon posted 12 while Camille Victoria chipped in with 11 for Nxled.
The Chargers dropped their third straight game for a 3-4 slate.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat had 18 points while Faith Nisperos got 11 in a lost cause for Akari.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh claimed its first-ever franchise victory after sweeping embattled Gerflor, 25-17, 25-17, 25-15, in the first game.
The also-ran Foxies finally broke a seven-game funk — 12 overall since they joined the league in the mid-season Invitational Conference — to move up to 10th place in the 12-club contest.
Kate Santiago led the way in Farm Fresh’s 77-minute clinical beating of the Defenders, scattering 18 points she collected from attacks and added five excellent receptions. Trisha Tubu scored nine points in two sets of play while Rizza Cruz and Camill Avila got six for the Foxies.
“We’re really happy we won. At least we’re seeing the fruits of our sacrifices and our training,” Farm Fresh setter Louie Romero said.
Gerflor, which is still dealing with issues of unpaid salaries to its players, absorbed a seventh defeat in a row in as many outings to bow out of semis contention.
The Defenders dropped 12 games overall following a fruitless maiden run in the Invitational Conference.
Jeanette Villareal got 12 points from six kills, four kill blocks and two aces while Danika Gendrauli scored all of her 11 markers from hits for Gerflor.
