EST Cola completed its remarkable comeback run by sweeping the Nxled Chameleons, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, to capture the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference championship on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After dropping its opening game, the Thai side won 5 straight matches to claim the title and become only the second guest team to win a PVL championship after Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze in the 2023 Invitational Conference.
EST Cola also made sure there would be no repeat of its marathon battle against Nxled in the elimination round, where the Thais needed a 15-12 fifth-set finish to escape the Chameleons.
“When we lost in four sets in our first game, it felt like we had just started adjusting and tuning things. We had only just begun—it was the first match. We gave our teammates the chance to understand, then we talked it over, used it in training, and adjusted together. We performed well and won the championship,” said conference MVP Papatchaya Phontham.
Papatchaya Pontham Leads the Way for EST Cola
Phontham once again led EST Cola in the title-clinching win with 15 points on 14 attacks and 1 block, while also adding 4 digs.
Nannaphat Moonjakham contributed 11 points and 12 digs, while Nattharika Wasan chipped in 9 points.
Seventeen-year-old setter Natnicha Saelao orchestrated the Thai side’s offense with 19 excellent sets and added 4 points of her own.
Phontham emerged as one of EST Cola’s biggest weapons throughout the tournament, averaging 19.4 points in the elimination round before claiming the Conference MVP award.
Despite the loss, Nxled secured the silver medal, marking the first podium finish in franchise history.
Jonah Sabete-Escamillan paced the Chameleons with 11 points, 21 excellent receptions, and 8 excellent digs, while Myla Pablo added 10 points.
