ILOILO – In a fitting conclusion to their first-ever Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Second All-Filipino Conference journey, the Nxled Chameleons emerged victorious in a four-set showdown against Farm Fresh on Saturday night, sealing their ninth-place finish and outperforming seasoned opponents like the Foxies, Gerflor, and Galeries Tower.
Dani Ravena, a standout player who made the transition from Akari to the sister team Nxled, took center stage in the post-match celebration, expressing gratitude to the Chameleons' management for providing them the platform to showcase their talents and pursue their passion for volleyball.
Entering the conference with skepticism surrounding their capabilities as a sister team to Akari, Ravena acknowledged the doubts but emphasized the team's gratitude for the support they received.
“I think we all know that coming into this conference, everyone was doubting us and everyone was saying, ‘Oh, sister team lang ng Akari,’ but for us, we’re so blessed to be in a company that takes care of us, takes care of the players, takes care of the coaching staff," said Ravena, who delivered a stellar performance with 19 excellent digs in the match.
Reflecting on Nxled's journey, Ravena shared her joy at being employed by a company that not only provided them jobs but also nurtured their love for the sport.
“We’re just really happy na nabigyan kami ng trabaho and ginagawa po namin yung ginagawa namin which is volleyball.”
The final game held special significance as it took place in the hometown of Nxled's founders, Dr. Carlos and Rosario Tiu. Ravena emphasized the team's dedication to giving their best in gratitude for the support they received.
"In our last game, we showcased our skills because we really wanted to play for Sir Chris (Tiu), our boss, and the rest of the Akari company. Because they took care of us, we felt it was only right to conclude the conference with a win."
Ravena also recognized the crucial role played by Japanese head coach Taka Minowa, commending his motivational strategies and his openness to listening to the players and coaching staff.
"Coach Taka is a coach who listens to his players, listens to his coaches, so for us, even when our opponents were ahead, having a coach who continually motivates you, whether you're in the lead or chasing the score," said Ravena.
"We just want to give back what we trained for because, again, we practiced for two months, we worked hard for two months. It's just about time to really showcase what we've worked for."
