Guidetti cites Petro Gazz example as Nxled works through PVL All-Filipino losses

Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti isn't worried just yet after the Chameleons' back-to-back losses in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Coming off their first conference loss to Galeries Tower, Nxled absorbed another four-set defeat, this time against Akari on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

After the match, Guidetti made a clear distinction between the Chameleons' recent setbacks.

"I consider the game against Galeries a mistake," Guidetti told One Sports. "This one is not a mistake. This one, we played our volleyball—but not at our best. And honestly, Akari played a very, very, very good game."

With the losses piling up, Guidetti acknowledged that pressure naturally comes with expectations, especially with a champion core now at his disposal. 

Ettore Guidetti looks on during Nxled's match against Akari in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference. | Photo: PVL

Still, the Italian tactician stressed that the issue goes beyond mindset.

"Yes, sure, there is pressure," he said. "But I don't think that is a mental problem. In this moment, we have to focus on playing good together and being ready to play our best in the final part."

[ALSO READ: Ettore Guidetti confident Nxled can adapt after rotation-heavy PVL opener]

To put Nxled's situation into context, Guidetti pointed to a familiar PVL blueprint—one that his current players went through just last conference.

"We don’t have to forget that the Petro Gazz Angels are not famous for winning every single game," he said. “Last season, for example, they lost four games, but they arrived to win the Final."

The Angels entered the 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference entered the playoffs as the sixth seed before going all the way to reclaim the title.

For Guidetti, that example underscores why early setbacks should not derail long-term goals.

"I know that they can do it," he said, referring to his own squad. "With the addition of very good players in Nxled, we have the possibility to train better. We just have to train a little better and be ready, because it looks like everybody is playing really, really good against us."

With this in mind, Guidetti remains confident that Nxled's ceiling remains high if the team sticks to its standards.

"We know that if we play our standard, we can beat basically anyone," he said. "But if we don't, we can lose like anyone else—because this is volleyball."

The Chameleons will try to end their losing skid when they face the Choco Mucho Flying Titans next Tuesday, March 3.

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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.

Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.