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Nxled Stays Perfect, Grabs Solo Lead in PVL All-Filipino Conference

Jonah Sabete’s 22 points and another huge blocking night lifted Nxled past Galeries Tower and into sole possession of first place in the PVL.

Published

9 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Royal Jones

Nxled Stays Perfect, Grabs Solo Lead in PVL All-Filipino Conference

The Nxled Chameleons are the early pacesetters of the PVL All-Filipino Conference. Nxled shook off a second-set stumble to beat Galeries Tower 25-16, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19 on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, stretching its unbeaten run to three matches and seizing the solo lead in the Siklab series.

Jonah Sabete led the charge with a game-high 22 points, adding three blocks, nine excellent receptions and six excellent digs in a superb all-around performance. MJ Phillips chipped in 14 points on 11 attacks and three kill blocks, and three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle delivered a double-double of 12 points and 13 excellent digs. Setter Gel Cayuna ran the offense with 20 excellent sets and eight points of her own, while libero Bang Pineda anchored the floor defense with 10 excellent digs.

Nxled’s net defense was the difference again. The Chameleons hammered down 14 blocks, a week after racking up 23 against Farm Fresh, and owned a 61-46 advantage in attacks.

“It’s nice to see that we have the same resilience that we showed in the last part of the PVL On Tour, and especially during the Invitational,” said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti. “I see a bunch of determination in the team.”

Galeries Tower, still winless at 0-3, got 13 points off the bench from Alyssa Bertolano, eight from Jean Asis and seven apiece from Erika Deloria and Lycha Ebon. Nxled gets nearly two weeks to recharge before a marquee showdown with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on Nov. 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Photo: PVL

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Royal Jones

We Speak Sports

Angel Reese’s Historic Night Powers Dream Past Valkyries 97-71 for 2-1 Finals Lead

Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds to become the first player in WNBA history with a double-double in each of her first three Finals games, and the Atlanta Dream routed the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals.

Published

4 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Royal Jones

Angel Reese high-fives Jordin Canada during WNBA Finals Game 3

The Atlanta Dream turned their first home game of the WNBA Finals into a statement. Behind another commanding performance from Angel Reese, Atlanta blew out the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,099 at State Farm Arena, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and setting a franchise record for points in a Finals game.

Watch the official Game 3 highlights:

Atlanta’s defense set the tone from the opening tip. The Dream held Golden State scoreless for the first five minutes, and the Valkyries did not make a field goal until Aminata Gueye’s hook shot with 4:38 left in the first quarter. Atlanta led 23-15 after one and 46-40 at halftime.

Golden State made its push early in the third quarter, tying the game at 49. Reese answered personally, fueling an 8-0 run and capping it with a coast-to-coast driving layup. After the Valkyries trimmed the margin to 59-55, the Dream closed the quarter by scoring 12 of the final 14 points to carry a 71-57 lead into the fourth, then outscored Golden State 26-14 the rest of the way. Atlanta has now outscored Golden State 63-35 in third quarters across the series.

Angel Reese celebrates with Rhyne Howard during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. (AP Photo)

Reese finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals. She is the first player in WNBA history to record a double-double in each of her first three Finals games, the youngest player ever with three straight double-doubles in the Finals, and she joined A’ja Wilson as the only players to post 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive Finals games. She also went 2-for-2 from three-point range; Atlanta is 14-0 this season when Reese makes a three.

“Time to take over. Do whatever it takes to win,” Reese said. “Everybody was just playing together. It’s fun when you win and you play with a great group. So it makes my job super easy.”

Rhyne Howard added 16 points and five steals, becoming the first player in league history with five steals in consecutive Finals games. Naz Hillmon scored 15, Isobel Borlase added 12 off the bench, and Jordin Canada finished with 10 points and eight assists. Atlanta shot 49.3 percent from the field, hit nine three-pointers and owned the paint, 44-20.

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 15 points, Tiffany Hayes scored 14, and Janelle Salaün and Cecilia Zandalasini added 13 apiece. But the Valkyries shot just 34.8 percent and committed 17 turnovers, which Atlanta converted into 22 points. “Sometimes, promises aren’t kept,” Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said.

Game 4 is Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena, televised on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Atlanta, playing in its first Finals since 2013, is now two wins away from the first championship in franchise history.