Rampaging Chameleons stay on top

MANILA, Philippines — Hunger.

That is what has been fueling the Nxled Chameleons.

Nxled zoomed to its fifth straight victory at the expense of the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-13, 25-20, 25-18, yesterday to stay at the helm of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Pulse Series at the PhilSports Arena.

“We’re still hungry,” said Nxled coach Guidetti Ettore, whose charges remain the league’s lone unbeaten squad.

It was another clinic for the Chameleons as they shackled the usually prolific Bella Belen to a single-digit effort — just five points — while the Solar Spikers lost their shine against Nxled’s impenetrable blocking and floor defense.

Brooke Van Sickle led the way with 13 points while Jackie Acuña and MJ Phillips manned the net with near impunity as each had three blocks.

Jonah Sabete-Escamillan chipped in seven hits while doing most of the dirty work with match-highs eight digs and 10 excellent receptions.

And it looked like there’s no stopping Nxled from reaching for the stars.

“We’re trying to keep our rhythm and I really hope the next game will not be tough for us,” said Ettore, who is hoping to steer the franchise to its first league crown after a runner-up finish at the Invitational Conference early this year – its best-ever finish to date.

A win over Akari, its old conqueror, on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum would seal Nxled an outright semifinal berth.

It was another disappointing result for the Milka and Mandy Romero-owned franchise, who brought in all the guns by tapping Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler and Julia Coronel only to struggle with a 2-4 slate.

In the nightcap, Akari survived Choco Mucho, 25-19, 22-25, 25-21, 19-25, 16-14, to catch its victim at 3-3.