Jaboneta proving Nxled made right draft choice, says Guidetti
Irah Jaboneta has quickly validated Nxled’s faith in selecting her in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft, with head coach Ettore Guidetti praising the rookie libero’s immediate impact after just a few games with the Chameleons.
Holding the fifth overall selection in this year's draft, Nxled chose the former University of the Philippines standout after an impressive week-long training stint with the squad before draft day.
That decision has already begun paying dividends.
After opening the PVL On Tour with a loss to Creamline, Nxled bounced back with consecutive victories over Capital1 and Galeries Tower, with Jaboneta anchoring the team's floor defense.
The 26-year-old converted libero registered nine excellent digs in the Chameleons' 25-17, 25-23, 25-18 victory against the Solar Spikers in Vigan. She followed that performance with 12 excellent receptions and six excellent digs in a 25-23, 25-23, 25-20 sweep of the Highrisers in Polomolok.
Guidetti said Jaboneta has exceeded the expectations that came with being the club's first draft pick.
"Well, I have to say that she’s confirming all my expectations about my first pick in the draft," Guidetti said after Nxled's straight-set win over Galeries Tower at the Polomolok Gymnasium.
"She’s playing great, she’s absolutely a person fully focused on volleyball. I’m blessed every single day of the choice I made. I really love the way she is, not only as a consistent libero but as a person. She’s really into the team, everybody trusts her."
For Jaboneta, her smooth transition has been rooted in keeping the game enjoyable instead of putting pressure on herself.
"Sa totoo lang po nag-e-enjoy lang po talaga ako sa loob ng court. 'Yun nga sabi ko nung last interview, less pressure lang po sa'kin kasi mas kapag nag-e-enjoy lang ako, parang nagagawa ko ng tama 'yung trabaho ko," she said.
She added that the trust shown by her teammates has helped her gain confidence both on and off the court as she continues adjusting to a new environment.
"Makikita naman po kung gaano ako nag-e-enjoy sa court. Ganun din outside the court. Kasi 'yung energy or 'yung tiwala nila, nadadala ko po sa loob ng court. Nung una, nahihirapan din po talaga ako sa adjustments ko. Kasi syempre po, kinikilala ko pa po sila inside and outside the court. Parang nahihiya pa ako, naiilang pa ako, pero mas nagiging comfortable na po ako."
Despite her promising start, Jaboneta believes there is still significant work ahead as she continues embracing her new position.
A former outside hitter, she said becoming a reliable libero requires changing her instincts and developing greater consistency against the league's diverse attacking threats.
"Consistency po talaga and dapat i-own ko po 'yung role ko. Syempre po converted ako, so kailangan wala na 'yung mindset na papalo, kailangan kung ano 'yung trabaho, gawin," she said.
"So marami pa akong kailangang i-trabaho po kasi iba-iba po 'yung kalaban namin, iba iba 'yung kakahayaan nila as spikers, as players, so every game po kailangan paghandaan talaga. 'Yun 'yung challenge sa'kin as libero."
