By el Amigo
EST Cola completed a dominant campaign by sweeping Nxled Chameleons, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19, to claim its first PVL Invitational Conference championship before a packed Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, September 8.
The Thai guest team denied Nxled a storybook ending to its first finals appearance and became only the second foreign guest team to win the Invitational, following Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze in 2023.
EST Cola made quick work of Nxled in the title match, needing only one hour and 28 minutes to finish off the Chameleons. It was a sharp contrast to their five-set thriller in the elimination round on September 3.
Thailand national team standout Papatchaya Phontham led the champions with 15 points, while Moonjakham added 11 and Nattharika Wasan nine. Natnicha Saelao chipped in four points and 19 excellent sets.
Sabete-Escamillan paced Nxled with 11 points, followed by Myla Pablo with 10. MJ Phillips and EJ Cariño contributed nine and six, respectively.
The victory completed EST Cola’s climb from a fourth-place finish in its 2024 PVL Invitational debut. Nxled, meanwhile, settled for silver in its historic first finals appearance.
PLDT turns back Creamline for bronze
PLDT High Speed Hitters denied Creamline another chance at revenge, beating the Cool Smashers, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, to secure the bronze medal.
Creamline was looking to bounce back from its five-set defeat to PLDT in the final game of the elimination round, but the defending champions again had the last word.
After PLDT won the opening set, Creamline leveled the match by taking the second. The High Speed Hitters, however, regained control in the third and held off the Cool Smashers in the fourth.
Savi Davison exploded for 29 points to lead PLDT, with Jovy Prado adding 12 and Kianna Dy 10. Kim Fajardo had 15 excellent sets.
Jaja Santiago-Minowa led Creamline with 19 points, built on 13 attacks, three blocks and three aces. Jema Galanza added 16, while Tots Carlos and Ishie Lalongisip had 11 and 10, respectively.
PLDT claimed its second PVL bronze, while Creamline finished fourth.
Farm Fresh takes fifth
Farm Fresh swept Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, 25-10, 25-15, 25-15, to finish fifth.
Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina scored 14 points apiece for the Foxies, while Jonna Perdido added 13 and Riri Meneses 11.
Alohi Robins-Hardy had 12 excellent sets, while Buding Duremdes registered 12 excellent digs.
Dang Thi Kim Thanh and Ho Thi Bich Diep led Ho Chi Minh City with 10 points each.
It was Farm Fresh’s second win over the Vietnamese side after a four-set victory in pool play.
Phontham leads Dream Team
Phontham capped her stellar campaign by winning the PVL Invitational MVP award and Best Opposite Spiker honors, becoming the first player from a foreign guest team to receive the tournament MVP award.
Nxled placed two players on the Dream Team, with Sabete-Escamillan named Best Outside Hitter and Gel Cayuna Best Setter.
PLDT had three awardees: Davison as Best Outside Hitter, MJ Phillips as Best Middle Blocker and Kath Arado as Best Libero.
Santiago-Minowa completed the Dream Team as the other Best Middle Blocker.
Writing
EST Cola claims first PVL title after sweeping Nxled
EST Cola of Thailand capped its 2026 PVL Invitational Conference campaign with a straight-set victory over Nxled Chameleons, 25-21, 25-21, 25-19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, September 8.
The victory gave EST Cola its first PVL championship and made it only the second foreign guest team to win the Invitational after Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze in 2023.
EST Cola completed the title match in one hour and 28 minutes, a much shorter contest than its five-set elimination-round encounter with Nxled on September 3.
Papatchaya Phontham led the Thai side with 15 points, while Moonjakham and Nattharika Wasan added 11 and nine, respectively. Natnicha Saelao contributed four points and 19 excellent sets.
Sabete-Escamillan finished with 11 points to lead Nxled, while Myla Pablo scored 10. MJ Phillips added nine and EJ Cariño six.
EST Cola’s championship marked a significant improvement from its fourth-place finish in its 2024 Invitational debut. Nxled earned the silver medal in its first finals appearance.
PLDT settles for bronze, beats Creamline
PLDT High Speed Hitters secured the bronze medal after defeating Creamline, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22.
Creamline had entered the classification match hoping to avenge its five-set loss to PLDT in the elimination round, but the defending champions again came out on top.
Davison led PLDT with 29 points, while Prado scored 12 and Dy added 10. Fajardo registered 15 excellent sets.
Santiago-Minowa paced Creamline with 19 points, followed by Galanza with 16. Carlos and Lalongisip finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The bronze was PLDT’s second in the PVL, while Creamline finished fourth.
Farm Fresh finishes fifth
Farm Fresh defeated Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, 25-10, 25-15, 25-15, to take fifth place.
Tubu and Molina scored 14 points each for Farm Fresh, while Perdido and Meneses contributed 13 and 11.
Robins-Hardy posted 12 excellent sets and Duremdes recorded 12 excellent digs.
Kim Thanh and Bich Diep led Ho Chi Minh City with 10 points apiece.
The victory was Farm Fresh’s second against the Vietnamese squad in the tournament.
Phontham earns MVP honors
Phontham was named Invitational MVP and Best Opposite Spiker after leading EST Cola to the championship.
She became the first player from a foreign guest team to win the Invitational MVP award.
Nxled’s Sabete-Escamillan and Cayuna were named Best Outside Hitter and Best Setter, respectively.
PLDT’s Davison, Phillips and Arado were selected as Best Outside Hitter, Best Middle Blocker and Best Libero.
Santiago-Minowa completed the
