Est Cola marched into the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference Final after sweeping Ho Chi Minh City, 25-19, 26-24, 26-24, to cap the elimination round on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Thai squad fended off late comeback attempts from the Vietnamese side in the final two frames to finish the elimination round with a 4-1 record.
After losing to PLDT in its tournament opener, Est Cola rattled off four consecutive victories to secure its spot in the championship match.
(C) PVL Images
Est Cola’s win over Ho Chi Minh City also ended the defending champion High Speed Hitters’ title-retention bid, as last year’s champions missed out on a spot in the final and will instead compete in the bronze medal match.
Papatchaya Phontham came up big for the Thai side with 21 points on 19 attacks, one ace, and one block.
“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,” said Phontham.
Nannaphat Moonjakham added 18 points on 13 attacks, four aces, and one block, along with 17 excellent receptions. Nirarach Srikuta delivered a solid two-way performance with 12 points and 12 excellent receptions.
Natnicha Saelao tallied 18 excellent sets, while liberos Nichakorn Wansuk and Jiratcha Naoprachun recorded 11 and 10 excellent digs, respectively, for Est Cola.
After a tightly contested second set, the Thais needed to dig deep in the third frame to finally close out the match.
Dao Thi Nung scored on a quick attack, then Phontham committed an attack error, tying the game at 24-all.
Nattharika Wasan then stopped the bleeding with a quick hit before Nirarach hammered a cross-court winner to punch Est Cola’s ticket to the gold medal match after an hour and 30 minutes of action.
(C) PVL Images
Est Cola will face either Creamline or Nxled in the final. A Cool Smashers win over PLDT will send the Rebisco-backed squad through, while a loss would put the Chameleons in the championship match.
Ho Chi Minh City, meanwhile, finished the elimination round with a 1-4 record and will face Farm Fresh in the battle for fifth place.
Dang Thi Kim Thanh led Ho Chi Minh City with 14 points on nine attacks, three aces, and one kill block.
