EST Cola dealt Creamline its first loss of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, pulling off a 17-25, 25-21, 25-22, 27-25 stunner to boost its gold medal match chances on Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The victory lifted the Thai guest team into a share of first place with the Cool Smashers, with both squads now holding identical 3-1 records.
EST Cola and Creamline are now in a “win-to-get-in” scenario on Sunday, with both teams still holding their own fate in their hands.
(C) PVL Images
“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 after their big win against the title favorites. “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.”
EST Cola built a 16-8 advantage in the fourth set and still led 23-19 late, but Creamline refused to go quietly, fighting back to tie the game at 24 and extend the match.
After the Thais committed a four-touch violation to hand the Cool Smashers a 25-24 set point, Natnicha Saelao leveled the game once more with a smart 1-2 play before Nannaphat Moonjakham put EST Cola at match point with a well-placed drop ball.
Nattharika Wasan then closed the door on Creamline, denying Tots Carlos’ crosscourt angle to seal the victory for EST Cola after two hours and seven minutes.
(C) PVL Images
The win marked three straight victories for the visitors after they dropped their opening match to PLDT last Monday.
Phontham finished with 27 points and 12 digs, while Moonjakham chipped in 16 points and 15 excellent receptions.
Nirarach Srikuta also came through with 12 points and 15 receptions.
The Thais will face Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City at 4 p.m. on Sunday, while Creamline will battle PLDT at 6:30 p.m.
Jaja Santiago-Minowa led the Cool Smashers with 19 points, while Jema Galanza added 15 points, 16 receptions, and 15 digs.
