Van Sickle, Nxled out to make amends

MANILA, Philippines — In her first stint with the Nxled Chameleons earlier this year, Brooke Van Sickle needed time to mesh with her new team and adjust to the system.

Expect her to be better this time.

The 28-year-old PVL champion and MVP should come in with more fire when Nxled shoots for a franchise-best performance in the PVL on Tour. The Chameleons open their campaign against reigning All-Filipino Conference champion Creamline on Wednesday in Ilagan City, Isabela.

Nxled acquired Van Sickle, along with MJ Phillips and Myla Pablo, after Petro Gazz went on an indefinite leave. The move instantly turned the Chameleons into a legitimate title contender.

The team disappointed, however, failing to live up to high expectations with a fifth-place finish that only matched the club’s best result in the same conference a year ago.

With more time to train together, Van Sickle and the Chameleons are expected to come in more motivated and determined to deliver a breakthrough performance, possibly the first podium finish in the club’s three-year history.

It helps that Nxled recently added battle-tested setter Gel Cayuna and middle blocker Jackie Acuña from the disbanded Cignal squad, as well as rookie spiker Irah Jaboneta from last month’s draft.