The PVL family is growing, and that is great news for local volleyball.
The PVL on Thursday formally welcomed a 12th team to its fold: the NXLED Chameleons.
NXLED, sister team of the Akari Chargers, will debut in the PVL’s season-ending All-Filipino Conference and add to the growing profile of the Akari Lighting & Technology Corporation. It will also allow the company to further forward its support for local volleyball—something it has been doing over the past years.
"Of course, the obvious reason that we are forming NXLED is because we want to market the brand," said Akari Sports Director Russell Balbacal in a report on the PVL website. "The PVL has proven to be a strong platform for brands to promote their products. More importantly, Akari has been a staunch supporter of Philippine volleyball for the past few years. Having a second team will help provide more jobs for players and coaches alike."
The announcement of NXLED as the PVL’s newest team naturally sent social media abuzz after much speculation, with quite a lot of fans particularly fascinated by the Chameleons’ logo and its bright, neon palette.
X (formerly Twitter) user @linoz certainly approves both the team's nickname and logo.
"Ganda ng logo ng NXLED Chameleons!!! Catchy pa ng name!"
For Abicy5, the potential green jerseys of the Chameleon promise to be eye-catching, especially if former De La Salle Lady Spikers Fifi Sharma and Michelle Cobb would get to wear them.
Speculate no more, because netizen @animo4lyf85 shared this amusing "jersey" suggestion:
X user @simon_pyurr seemingly loves the "Chameleons" moniker and the logo itself. and even implored other teams to follow suit.
"We need more teams na may animalistic monikers please," the netizen wrote before making a playful jab at the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers.
"Creamline baka bet n'yong mag-change ng moniker and ng logo? Sukuan n'yo na 'yang Cool Smashers. Creamline Axolotls maganda haha or Creamline Pink Narwhals gano'n chz."
Of course, it would be interesting to see more of the Chameleons' branding and their jerseys. But it is even more intriguing to see who will be playing for the PVL's newest team—and if it can be competitive in league loaded with so much talent.
(GM)