Thailand’s EST Cola and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City will join four Philippine clubs in the 2026 PVL Invitational Conference, completing the six-team lineup for the tournament.
The two international teams will compete alongside defending champion PLDT High Speed Hitters, Creamline Cool Smashers, Farm Fresh Foxies and Nxled Chameleons in the tournament scheduled from August 31 to September 8.
EST Cola is set to return to the PVL after missing the 2025 edition. The Thai club last appeared in the league’s 2024 Invitational Conference and will again test its strength against the Philippines’ leading women’s volleyball teams.
Ho Chi Minh City, meanwhile, is preparing for its first PVL appearance. The Vietnamese squad previously gained experience playing in the Philippines during a preseason competition.
The four local teams earned their spots based on their finishes in the previous All-Filipino Conference. PLDT took the place of Cignal, which has since left the league.
The High Speed Hitters will also begin their title defense after winning the previous Invitational Conference.
Unlike in past editions, the two foreign clubs will not receive automatic semifinal berths. EST Cola and Ho Chi Minh City will enter the competition at the elimination stage together with the four Philippine teams.
The short tournament will run for a little over a week, with the new PVL Invitational champion set to be crowned on September 8.(Adrian Co)
