EST Cola turned back Nxled in a thrilling five-set encounter, 26-24, 21-25, 21-25, 30-28, 15-12, to claim its second consecutive win in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Thursday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Already staring at an eight-point deficit at 20-12 in the fourth set, the Thai guest squad refused to go quietly, uncorking an 11-2 blitz behind Nannapat Moonjakham and Papatchaya Phontham to snatch a 23-22 lead before eventually grinding out the set in extra points.
EST Cola then carried the momentum into the decider, fending off a late charge from the Chameleons to complete the comeback.
(C) PVL Images
With only a point separating the two squads after a double-contact violation by Natnicha Saelao, the Thai side briefly wavered when Lyann De Guzman committed a net error to make it 14-12 before Moonjakham hammered home the game-winning hit.
“I’m so happy and excited after winning two games,” said Moonjakham after the two-hour, 38-minute victory.
The timely surge lifted EST Cola to a 2-1 record and set up a crucial showdown with unbeaten Creamline (3-0) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
“Creamline is the number one team, so it’s not easy for us to play against them, especially because they have a strong key player (Jaja Santiago-Minowa),” said Moonjakham.
Phontham unloaded 26 points on 23 attacks, two blocks, and one ace to lead the Thais’ offensive barrage, while Moonjakham delivered a stellar two-way performance with 22 points and 20 excellent digs.
Nirarach Srikuta also finished in double digits with 21 points on 17 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while adding 17 excellent receptions. Saelao dished out 27 excellent sets to go along with five points.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, the Chameleons suffered a tough blow after letting a sizable fourth-set lead slip away, falling to 1-2 and into a four-way tie with Farm Fresh, PLDT, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Jonah Sabete-Escamillan put up a monster performance with 26 points on 15 attacks, six blocks, and five aces, while also recording 21 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Gel Cayuna added 23 excellent sets, 10 points, and 12 excellent digs. Myla Pablo, who was not fielded in the fifth set, still finished with 16 points, while MJ Phillips added 23 points and Jackie Acuna chipped in 11.
The loss overshadowed an otherwise stellar blocking performance from Nxled, which finished with a tournament-high 24 kill blocks despite the defeat.
The Chameleons will have to quickly put the tough loss behind them as they return to action against Ho Chi Minh City at 4 p.m. on Friday.
