NXLED rookie Lyann De Guzman is proving to be a valuable pick after back-to-back big games in Batangas.
Betting on Lyann De Guzman has quickly paid dividends for the NXLED Chameleons after the rookie out of Ateneo de Manila University uncorked back-to-back 20-point games in her first two matches, earning her team two wins in their PVL on Tour assignments over the weekend.
De Guzman, selected fourth over all, first had 21 points in a shocking upset of Petro Gazz at the Batangas City Sports Center. She then followed it up with 24 markers in a 4-set win over another contender in Choco Mucho.
[READ:
Lyann De Guzman stars again as Nxled nips Choco Mucho for perfect PVL on Tour start]
For the wing spiker, being selected early in the rookie draft earlier this month posed as a challenge for her: to prove her worth, not just to her opponents, but more so for her teammates.
Understanding that her teammates are more experienced than her, De Guzman is learning to listen and adapt to everything around her.
“Actually, ‘yun nga nung pinili ako [nung draft], very excited ako kasi nasa isip ko talaga nu'n na parang very healthy competition ang mangyayari sa team namin. And of course, yung mga ates ko, beterano na 'yan eh. And parang mas matagal na sila sa PVL, and they know kung paano maging mas smart maglaro, 'yung mga system ni coach. And ako siyempre, pasimula palang, so ina-adopt ko pa,” De Guzman said after her debut game on Saturday.
“So, slowly, mas natututunan ko na 'yung bagong system, and of course I’m very happy kasi marami pa akong natututunan.”
Coming from a similar rebuilding team back in her college days in Ateneo, De Guzman finds herself in a similar situation, as the Chameleons target bigger wins against bigger teams.
Blending in with a new environment and a new system, the wing spiker is happy to give her all to make herself as useful as possible to the Chameleons. As far as her first two games are concerned, it seems to be working.
“At least ngayon, nakapag-adjust na ako sa new environment ng bagong volleyball community. And 'yun lang, parang, same mindest lang na ibigay lang yung 110% every game, and of course, just follow lang 'yung system, and 'yung mga sinabi ni coach,” she said.
“’Yun nga, follow lang talaga kasi pupuntos at pupuntos pag sinusunod lang 'yung mga instructions ni coach,” she added.
After showing herself as one of the top rookies to watch out in the preseason, De Guzman hopes she can maintain the momentum when the Chameleons return to action next on July 15 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
Currently, NXLED touts a 2-0 record in Pool A — leading all teams so far.