Manila: EST Cola of Thailand lifted the PVL Invitational championship trophy after beating Nxled, 25-22, 25-21, 25-19, before a highly appreciative crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night. Papatchaya Phontham and Nannaphat Moonjakham played brilliantly throughout the one-hour and 28-minute match.
According to Philippines News Agency, Phontham, who eventually earned the Most Valuable Player award, scored 15 points on 14 attacks and one block. Moonjakham chipped in 11 points and 12 digs while Nattharika Wasan had nine points, followed by Nirarach Srikuta and Sasithorn Jatta with seven and six, respectively.
Natnicha Saelao added four points on top of 19 excellent sets for EST Cola, which became the second foreign team to win the Invitational after Japan's Kurashiki Ablaze beat Creamline in 2023. The victory also completed EST Cola's remarkable evolution from the U20 team that finished fourth in its 2024 PVL Invitational debut into a championship-caliber squad.
Jonah Escamillan led the Chameleons with 11 points. Myla Pablo had 10 points, including two aces, while MJ Phillips had nine points. Meanwhile, PLDT defeated Creamline, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22, to settle for third place.
