6 days ago
Rookie Lyann De Guzman shines as Nxled upsets Petro Gazz in Batangas showdown
Lyann De Guzman made an immediate impact in her professional debut, steering Nxled to a 25-23, 19-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-10 thrilling upset over Petro Gazz in the PVL On Tour on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Complex.
The rookie out of Ateneo de Manila University scattered a game-high 21 points anchored on 18 attacks and three aces while also grabbing eight digs and nine receptions to help the Chameleons went 1-0 early in Pool A.
De Guzman's all-around showing supplied help to her seniors EJ Cariño and Chiara Permentilla with the former tallying 12 points and the latter posting 10 markers.
"I'm very happy because we won against the best team of the last conference. I know that we have to keep our feet on the ground, but it's a big game so we're happy," Nxled head coach Etorre Guidetti said.
De Guzman, who was picked fourth overall during the recent Rookie Draft, admitted she was nervous at first, especially after Guidetti gave her a starting role alongside the veterans. But she credited her seniors for helping her overcome the jitters.
"Actually, nu'ng una talaga sobrang kinakabahan talaga ako. Sabi lang ng mga ate ko na relax lang and just enjoy the game and mas umangat lang 'yung confidence ko with their help," the former Blue Eagle said.
"Of course, we're very happy kasi ayun nga, parang lahat ng training namin these past few weeks lumabas siya sa laro namin and of course we just need to follow the system of coach and 'yung points darating na lang,"
Petro Gazz, the reigning champions of All-Filipino Conference, was without some key players in Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips, who are both suiting up for Alas Pilipinas in the VTV Cup.
Still, the Angels put up a fight behind Myla Pablo, who top-scored them with 16 points laced with 10 digs and eight receptions while Nicole Tiamzon and Jonah Sabete chipped in 15 and 14 markers each.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
