Thais first to Invitational finals after routing Vietnamese

EST Cola’s Papatchaya Phontam tries to score against Ho Chi Minh City in the PVL Invitational Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

EST Cola of Thailand eyes the PVL Invitational Conference crown, riding the brilliance of Papatchaya Phontham once again in a 25-19, 26-24, 26-24 sweep of also-ran Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The left-handed attacker led EST Cola with 21 points on 19 kills and two blocks as this batch of Thais—a far better version of what played in the last edition of this tournament—won a fourth straight game after opening up with a loss to PLDT to make the championship match sated on Tuesday also at the fabled Big Dome in Cubao.

“I feel good, but I have to give credit to everyone on the team,” said Phontham through an interpreter. “If we didn’t have our receivers and our setter, I wouldn’t have been able to attack and score. Everyone contributes to the team. It’s all about teamwork.”

EST Cola completed its turnaround from fourth-place in 2024 to a finalist—the fourth guest team to reach the final after silver medalist King Whale Taipei in 2022, 2023 champion Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan, and last year’s runner-up Kobe Shiwa University, also from Japan.

Phontham, who was part of the Volleyball Nations League lineup of the Thai national team this year, is eager to apply her international experience and continue to work on the same page as her teammates in two days.

“I have experience from playing with the senior national team, and I’ll try to use whatever experience I gained there to help the team, whether I can contribute a lot or a little,” she said.

Nannaphat Moonjakham backstopped Phontham with 18 points and 17 excellent receptions.

EST Cola could face Creamline or Nxled—teams it took down during its impressive run—in the title match.

Creamline can make the finals with a win over PLDT at press time. If the Cool Smashers lose, Nxled will take the other finals berth after finishing the elimination round at 3-2 with 10 points and the tiebreak advantage.

Nxled did its part. Now, the Chameleons can only wait and hope for a breakthrough Finals appearance.

MJ Phillips erupted for 25 points, as Nxled secured a spot in at least the bronze medal match after fending off Farm Fresh, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, earlier.

Regardless if they play in the championship or bronze medal game, Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti is already proud of their run amid missing three-time MVP Brooke Van Sickle.

Ho Chi Minh City finished the elimination round at 1-4 and will face Farm Fresh in the battle for fifth place on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. Dang Thi Kim Thanh led the Vietnamese with 14 points. INQ