EST Cola has turned the 2026 PVL Invitationals into a wide‑open race for the Finals.
The Thai guest team handed the Creamline Cool Smashers their first loss of the tournament, overcoming the many-time league champs, 17‑25, 25‑21, 25‑22, 27‑25, on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The upset moved EST Cola to 3‑1, level with Creamline at the top of the standings and within one win of securing a place in the gold medal match.
After losing its tournament opener to the PLDT High Speed Hitters, EST Cola has now won three straight, with the latest victory coming against a Creamline side that had looked untouchable through its first three games.
The Thais appeared ready to close things out in the fourth after building an 8‑point lead at 16‑8. They remained ahead, 23‑19, but Creamline refused to let the match end there.
The Cool Smashers erased the deficit and tied the set at 24‑all, then briefly moved to set point at 25‑24 following a four‑touch violation by EST Cola.
Natnicha Saelao answered with a clever 1‑2 play to level the score again before Nannaphat Moonjakham put EST Cola on match point with a perfectly placed drop.
EST Cola Finishes the Stunner
Nattharika Wasan delivered the finishing touch, denying Tots Carlos’ crosscourt attempt to complete the two‑hour, seven‑minute victory.
“Personally, I don’t feel nervous or anything. I just feel like we play it point by point and stay in the game,” said 20‑year‑old Papatchaya Phontham.
“It’s not really that the crowd noise pressures us, but the cheering does have an effect. We try to keep control of the team more.
“From when the score was far apart until they came back and put pressure on us, it made our team feel the pressure too. But we just tried to stay okay, keep calm, calm the team down.”
Phontham once again carried much of EST Cola’s offense, finishing with 27 points and 12 digs. Moonjakham added 16 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Nirarach Srikuta chipped in 12 points and 15 receptions.
The result leaves both EST Cola and Creamline in a win‑to‑get‑in situation heading into Sunday.
What’s Next
EST Cola will face Ho Chi Minh City at 4:00 p.m., while Creamline takes on defending champion PLDT at 6:30 p.m. Both teams can still control their path to the Finals with a victory.
Jaja Santiago‑Minowa led Creamline with 19 points, while Jema Galanza posted 15 points, 16 excellent receptions, and 15 digs.
