Thailand’s EST Cola capped its impressive 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational campaign by sweeping Nxled Chameleons, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, in the winner-take-all championship match on Tuesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
EST Cola maintained its composure throughout the Finals to become only the second guest team to win the PVL Invitational championship, following Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze.
The Thai squad relied on its potent attacking duo of Papatchaya Phontham and Nannaphat Moonjakham, who once again provided the offensive punch that carried EST Cola through the tournament.
Phontham and Moonjakham were among the team’s most consistent scorers during the competition, helping EST Cola finish the preliminary round on top of the standings with a 4-1 record.
EST Cola survived a competitive opening set before gradually taking control of the match. The visitors secured the second frame to move within one set of the championship before completing the sweep in the third.
The title capped a strong showing by EST Cola, which recovered from a loss to PLDT in its tournament opener and went on to win its next four preliminary-round matches before advancing to the championship game.
For Nxled, the loss ended its bid for its first PVL championship but still gave the Chameleons their best finish in franchise history with the silver medal. (Adrian Co)
