.png){kind=spacer}
2 hours ago
7
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
EST Cola’s Papatchaya Phontam tries to score against Ho Chi Minh City in the PVL Invitational Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — EST Cola of Thailand swept Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, 25-19, 26-24, 26-24, to march into the PVL Invitational Conference final on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Thai club, which brought stronger and more developed players this time, completed its turnaround from a fourth-place finish in the PVL two years ago to a finalist.
READ: PVL: EST Cola ends Creamline’s unbeaten run for share of top seed
EST Cola’s Papatchaya Phontham and Serah Ankomah on reaching the PVL Invitational Conference final. #PVL2026 @inquirersports pic.twitter.com/GhgSkDPEuZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 6, 2026
Papatchaya Phontham delivered the goods anew with 21 points off 19 kills and two blocks. Nannaphat Moonjakham chipped in 18 points and 17 excellent receptions, while Nirarach Srikuta had 12 points and 12 excellent receptions.
EST Cola won four straight games after losing the opening day to defending champion PLDT, which was dethroned by the victory of the Thais before the final preliminary match against Creamline.
Creamline will clinch the last final berth with a win over PLDT later, while a loss propels Nxled to the title match against EST Cola via tie-break.
EST Cola became the fourth guest team to reach the Invitational final, joining silver medalist KingWhale Taipei in 2022, 2023 champion Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan, and last year’s runner-up Kobe Shiwa University, also from Japan.
READ: PVL: Nxled beats Farm Fresh in must win, awaits fate
The Vietnamese team forced a deuce in the last two sets. But Nattharika Wasan stepped in the clutch in both frames. Srikuta nailed the game-winning spike to enter the final.
Ho Chi Minh City finished the prelims with a 1-4 record and will face Farm Fresh in the battle for fifth place on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Dang Thi Kim Thanh was the lone bright spot for Vietnam with 14 points.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
