EST Cola celebrates a point. (PVL Images)
By Kristel Satumbaga-Villar
Published Sep 5, 2026 10:58 pm
The Vietnamese spikers shocked defending champions PLDT High Speed Hitters, 28-26, 19-25, 25-21, 25-16, to crawl out of a 0-2 hole and notch their first victory, while the Thai crew overcame a 1-2 set deficit to survive the Nxled Chameleons, 26-24, 21-25, 21-25, 30-28, 15-12, to improve to a 2-1 card.
Guest teams Ho Chih Minh and EST Cola stunned their local rivals to keep their finals bids alive in the PVL Invitational at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Sept. 3.
The Vietnamese spikers shocked defending champions PLDT High Speed Hitters, 28-26, 19-25, 25-21, 25-16, to crawl out of a 0-2 hole and notch their first victory, while the Thai crew overcame a 1-2 set deficit to survive the Nxled Chameleons, 26-24, 21-25, 21-25, 30-28, 15-12, to improve to a 2-1 card.
Cang Thi Kim Thanh and Ho Thi Bich Diep led the Vietnamese assault with 19 and 18 points, respectively, overshadowing the joint efforts of Kianna Dy and Savi Davison, who pumped in 25 and 16 points for PLDT.
Dang also teamed up with Dao Thi Nhung to fuel their offense, combining for 30 of the team’s 64 attacks.
PLDT absorbed its second straight loss in three games.
EST Cola, meanwhile, turned to the troika of Phoontham Papatchaya, Moonhakham Nannaphat and Srikuta Nirarach as they erupted for 26, 22 and 21 points in destroying Nxled’s rock-solid net defense.
The Chameleons swatted away 24 blocks -- six each from Jonah Sabete and MJ Phillips -- but their efforts still failed to stop the barrage of attacks from their Thai counterparts as EST Cola still managed 72 kills.
Natnicha Saelao was also instrumental in EST Cola’s assault by converting 27 excellent sets.
