The Nxled Chameleons are hoping to turn things around with the arrival of Italian coach Ettore Guidetti.
2024 Reinforced Conference record: 1-7 (10th place)
Key additions: Ettore Guidetti
Key players: Chiara Permentilla, Lycha Ebon, Jho Maraguinot, May Luna, Krich Macaslang, Bang Pineda
Coach: Ettore Guidetti (new)
One word to describe Nxled’s upcoming campaign
Progress.
Three coaches in three PVL conferences for the Nxled Chameleons.
This offseason, the Chameleons decided to let go of Chinese tactician Chen Gang, replacing him with Italian coach Ettore Guidetti in the hopes of building the right foundation for the young squad.
So far in his two months of training with the team ahead of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Guidetti has been adapting well with the Chameleons.
“Not a single day has been boring, not a single day has been a loss of time. I think the team spirit has been great in these two months of work,” Guidetti told One Sports. “The girls are really coachable so for me, it’s a very good experience to work with them.”
[ALSO READ: Ettore Guidetti introduces Italian style of coaching to PVL with Nxled Chameleons]
But it’s not just Guidetti who has been enjoying his time in Nxled, the players are also embracing the Italian style of coaching he has brought on board.
With this, the Chameleons are hoping for some continuity in the team after seeing player and coaching changes over the past conferences.
“For coach Ettore, he’s making volleyball so much fun us. I think everyone loves his system. Lahat kami naka-adjust agad kahit bago siya,” middle blocker Krich Macaslang said.
“Sana siya na ‘yung hinahanap namin. We really hope mag-stay siya long term because I see him and we see him talaga like getting far with Nxled," she added.
Biggest X-Factor for Nxled this season
Chiara Permentilla.
Among the few bright spots last conference for Nxled was the play of Permentilla, who became the team’s go-to scorer.
Heading into the new PVL season, Permentilla has set clear her goals for herself and the team.
“For myself, ang goal ko is to be more consistent talaga. I wanna help the team na umangat in a way,” said Permentilla. “For the team naman, ang goal ko is mapakita namin kung ano ‘yung tine-training namin, mapakita namin ‘yung sistema ni coach kasi maganda.”
“Hopefully mag-reflect siya into the games this conference.”
Best-case scenario
Patience will be key for Nxled but if they can show off their new system under Guidetti then maybe the team can surprise some teams once more.
Finishing just below the top six should be considered a positive start for the Chameleons as they look forward to future conferences.
Worst-case scenario
Nxled starts slow and fails to adjust right away under Guidetti’s system, causing them to fall near the bottom of the standings.
Bold prediction
The Chameleons will surprise many with their defensive prowess and prove to be a formidable team for the future, finishing around 7th or 8th in the All-Filipino Conference.