Papatchaya Phontham did not let the noise of the Smart Araneta Coliseum get in the way of a statement win.
The 20‑year‑old opposite spiker delivered a career‑defining performance as EST Cola stunned tournament favorite Creamline Cool Smashers, 17‑25, 25‑21, 25‑22, 27‑25, on Friday in the 2026 PVL Invitationals.
Phontham powered the Thai guest team with 27 points from 24 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while also contributing 12 excellent digs as EST Cola handed the Cool Smashers their first defeat of the tournament.
The victory moved the Thais level with Creamline at 3‑1 heading into the final day of the preliminary round, putting EST Cola in control of its own path to the gold medal match.
Phontham, EST Cola Keep Composure
Even when Creamline threatened to force a deciding set, Phontham remained composed.
EST Cola had built an 8‑point cushion in the fourth, 16‑8, only for the Cool Smashers to erase the deficit and eventually push the set into extended play. Rather than get rattled, Phontham and her teammates stayed composed enough to finish the upset.
“Personally, I don’t feel nervous or anything. I just feel like we play it point by point and stay in the game. It’s not really that the crowd noise pressures us, but the cheering does have an effect,” said Phontham.
“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 was far from alone in carrying the Thais. Nannaphat Moonjakham added 16 points and 15 excellent receptions, while Nirarach Srikuta chipped in 12 points and 15 receptions.
The result puts EST Cola in a strong position heading into Sunday’s final preliminary‑round matches. The Thais will face Ho Chi Minh City at 4:00 p.m., while Creamline takes on defending champion PLDT at 6:30 p.m.
Youthful Talent on Display
The performance also highlighted the depth of Thailand’s young program. EST Cola’s roster has an average age of just 20, with setters Natnicha Saelao and Serah Ankomah both only 17.
Phontham herself has already gained experience at the senior international level, having been part of Thailand’s VNL squad this year.
That early exposure is part of a wider development system that continues to produce players capable of competing on the biggest stages.
Thailand’s rise reached another milestone this year when it secured its first‑ever Olympic berth after winning the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship.
On Friday night, however, it was Phontham and a fearless group of young Thai players who gave the PVL crowd a glimpse of why Thailand remains one of Asia’s volleyball powers.
