PVL: Lyann De Guzman picks up slack for shorthanded Nxled

Nxled’s Lyann De Guzman celebrates during a win over PLDT in the PVL Invitational Conference.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Lyann De Guzman remains a reliable hitter off the bench, helping Nxled deliver the team’s first win in the PVL Invitational Conference.

With the Chameleons looking for a spark less than 24 hours after losing to the Jaja Santiago-Minowa-led Creamline, De Guzman stepped up and nailed the clutch hits in the third to complete a 25-19, 25-22, 25-20 sweep of defending champion PLDT.

“Coach told us to always be ready because Ate Chiara (Permentilla) and Ate Brooke (Van Sickle) won’t be playing. So whenever an opportunity comes, I have to grab it and give everything I have to help the team,” said De Guzman in Filipino on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

READ: PVL Invitational: Nxled bounces back by taking down PLDT

De Guzman, who started in the last two sets, connected with MJ Phillips’ superb service to help Nxled recover from a 14-16 deficit in the third and unleash an 8-0 run en route to their first win.

Last year’s fourth overall pick was inspired by her teammates’ mentality this conference, as they are all eager to make the most of the opportunity to play in the Invitational against the top three teams in the All-Filipino Conference and a pair of guest teams.

“Everyone is really willing to step up. Even when the score is far apart, whoever comes in tries to do everything they can to help the team. I’m happy because everyone is willing to embrace the opportunity, no matter what position they play,” said the former Ateneo captain.

De Guzman and the Chameleons hope their victory over the High Speed Hitters is a sign of bigger things to come as they look to make it to the finals.

READ: PVL: Lyann De Guzman thriving alongside ‘idols’ in Nxled rebuild

They face Thailand’s EST Cola on Thursday before wrapping up the elimination round against Ho Chi Minh City on Friday and Farm Fresh on Sunday.

“We’re playing almost every day, so after each game, we really have to move on right away and focus on the next one. I think that’s good for our team,” said De Guzman.

“We lost yesterday, but we carried the good things from that game into today, especially our defense and how we committed fewer errors. Hopefully, that will give us even more confidence and motivation heading into our next games.”