Papatchaya Phontham has already played a key role in EST Cola’s run to the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference finals, but the Thai spiker knows she still has more to give.
After dropping their opening match to PLDT, the Thai guest team won 4 straight games, capped by a sweep of Ho Chi Minh City, to finish the elimination round at 4‑1 and book a spot in the championship match.
Papatchaya’s Pontham’s Contributions
Despite averaging 19.4 points per game during the elimination round, Papatchaya Phontham continued to credit her teammates for Est Cola’s breakthrough campaign.
“No matter what, a team is a team. I can’t play by myself. We have to play together as a team. Even if I can help a lot or only a little, if it were just me alone, then it wouldn’t be a team,” said the 20‑year‑old winger, who also plays for the Thailand senior national team.
Phontham has emerged as one of Est Cola’s most reliable weapons, highlighted by her 27‑point performance against Creamline. She added another 21 points in the Thai side’s semifinal‑clinching win over Ho Chi Minh City.
“I feel good, but I have to give credit to everyone on the team. If we didn’t have our receivers and our setter, I wouldn’t have been able to attack and score. Everyone contributes to the team. It’s all about teamwork,” she added.
Looking Ahead to the Championship
Now, with Est Cola set to face Nxled in the championship match, Papatchaya Phontham is looking to bring everything she has learned from the international stage to the Thai side’s first PVL finals appearance.
The SEA V League champion believes her experience with Thailand’s senior national team can help her handle the pressure of playing for the title.
“I have experience from playing with the senior national team, and I’ll try to use whatever experience I gained there to help the team, whether I can contribute a lot or a little.”
