PVL: ‘Motivated’ Jonah Sabete rewarded after Nxled breakthrough

Jonah Sabete-Escamillan is named the PVL Invitational Conference Best Outside Spiker. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jonah Sabete-Escamillan believes her first Premier Volleyball League Best Outside Spiker award is a testament to her hard work in Nxled’s breakthrough finals appearance in the Invitational Conference.

The 32-year-old spiker received her first PVL individual award after displaying her all-around game in the week-long conference, stepping up in the absence of three-time Conference MVP Brooke Van Sickle, who was out due to a shoulder injury.

READ: PVL: Jonah Sabete keeping Nxled’s title bid afloat

“This is really the result of hard work. I feel like this is something God gave me because I honestly wasn’t thinking about the awards,” said Escamillan in Filipino.

“I was focused on my team—on how I could push myself and also push my teammates. I wanted them to experience the kind of championship mentality that we had before with Petro Gazz.”

Escamillan was everywhere for the Chameleons, finishing sixth in scoring with 84 points, sixth in blocking at 0.65 kill blocks per set, fifth in service at 0.35 aces per set, fifth in digging at 3.15 per set, and third in reception efficiency at 47.62%.

WATCH: Jonah Sabete-Escamillan on Nxled’s first podium finish in the PVL. #PVL206 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/Y1druVKxBx

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) September 8, 2026

“I’m motivated every day. I want to keep learning, whether it’s in training or in games. I feel like if I continue learning every day, the awards will just come afterward,” she said.

Nxled may have been swept by Thailand’s EST Cola, but the Escamillan said she is blessed to get another shot to reach the final with Chameleons for the first time after winning four titles with the defunct Petro Gazz.

“We’re really happy because Nxled is a new team for us. We’re new to this team, a new family, so we’ll definitely have something to carry into the next conference. The awards are just a bonus for us this conference,” she said.

Escamillan believes that their breakthrough finals bodes well for the team, which is set to welcome back Van Sickle for a complete roster for All-Filipino next month.

“I think this is a good sign for us because we’re short-handed. There are only three of us open spikers, so we don’t really have anyone to rotate with,” she said.

“It’s a very good sign that we were still able to reach the Finals. We know Brooke is still there supporting us from the sidelines. She continues to give us feedback and guide us, so that really helps us.”