Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti tempered expectations despite his squad’s franchise-best 3-0 start in the PVL on Tour, reminding his players and fans that the real challenges—and pressure—are still ahead.
The Nxled Chameleons are off to a dream start in the PVL on Tour, winning their first three matches and notching their best start in franchise history.
But for head coach Ettore Guidetti, the real test is only just beginning.
Despite the perfect 3-0 slate following their straight-sets win over Galeries Tower on Tuesday, the Italian tactician was quick to temper expectations.
“First of all, it's a false 3-0 because it’s 26-24, 25-23, 25-22,” he said. “It was a very tough battle. We were down 13-3 in the first set. But we started playing patiently and in our system. Our open spikers and opposite players did very good work.”
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Nxled, who finished last in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, is turning heads with its revamped roster and poise under pressure, particularly in two earlier wins against seasoned squads Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho.
But for Guidetti, the key lies in understanding the context amid the ongoing preseason tilt.
“To be honest, the level [of competition] now is not higher than the last season. The All-Filipino Conference was another level,” Guidetti explained.
“We kept working with the same system, so it was simple for the new players to enter in. We added very good players to raise the level. So, basically, we doubled up — and the other teams, a little less.”
With a pivotal stretch looming, including matchups against powerhouse teams like PLDT, Guidetti said he has begun preparing the Chameleons for the pressure that comes with success.
“Right now, people are not considering us the worst team or a dark horse anymore,” he said. “We have to start accepting a little more pressure.”
“Every single conference is different. Every single match is different,” he added. “We’re grateful for where we are now, but we also know that if we lose the next two games without taking points, we could be out of the quarterfinals. So, we’ll take these 10 days to recover, train, study, and be better.”
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Nxled returns to action on July 26 when they take on fellow unbeaten team PLDT in Cebu City.