The 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference concluded on September 8, with Thailand’s EST Cola capturing the championship after a dominant run against the league’s top local teams and international guests.
The tournament featured four Philippine teams selected based on their All-Filipino Conference standings: the Creamline Cool Smashers, PLDT High Speed Hitters, Farm Fresh Foxies, and Nxled Chameleons. The Nxled Chameleons entered the competition after the Cignal Super Spikers, who finished as All-Filipino Conference runners-up, left the league during the offseason.
Joining the local teams were returning guest squad EST Cola of Thailand and debuting Vietnamese team Ho Chi Minh City.
EST Cola Leads Round-Robin Eliminations
The elimination round followed a single round-robin format, with each team facing the others once.
The tournament opened on August 31, as PLDT defeated EST Cola, 3–1. Creamline then secured a 3–1 victory over Nxled, while Farm Fresh overcame Ho Chi Minh City by the same score.
EST Cola bounced back on September 1, sweeping Farm Fresh, 3–0. Nxled also secured a straight-set victory over PLDT, while Creamline swept Ho Chi Minh City.
The competition intensified on September 3, when Creamline edged Farm Fresh, 3–2, following a strong challenge from the Foxies. Ho Chi Minh City defeated PLDT, 3–1, while EST Cola narrowly overcame Nxled, 3–2.
On September 4, PLDT defeated Farm Fresh, 3–1, while Nxled rallied past Ho Chi Minh City, 3–1. EST Cola then secured a 3–1 victory over Creamline.
EST Cola continued its strong campaign on the final day of eliminations, sweeping Ho Chi Minh City to claim its fourth win. Nxled defeated Farm Fresh, 3–1, while PLDT edged Creamline, 3–2.
The results placed EST Cola at the top of the standings, followed by Nxled, Creamline, PLDT, Farm Fresh, and Ho Chi Minh City.
EST Cola Sweeps Nxled for Championship
EST Cola faced Nxled in the championship match on September 8, following a competitive five-set encounter between the teams during the elimination round.
This time, the Thai squad delivered a commanding performance, sweeping Nxled, 3–0, to claim the Invitational Conference championship. The victory made EST Cola the second international guest team to win the tournament.
PLDT secured third place after defeating Creamline, 3–1, while Farm Fresh claimed fifth place with a 3–0 sweep of Ho Chi Minh City.
EST Cola’s Papatchaya Phontham was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her contribution to the championship-winning campaign.
PVL Action Returns in October
With the Invitational Conference now concluded, PVL fans can look forward to the league’s next conference, which begins on October 10. The upcoming tournament will offer teams another opportunity to compete for conference honors.