Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

1:30 p.m. — Ho Chi Minh City 

vs Farm Fresh

4 p.m. — Creamline vs PLDT 

6:30 p.m. — Nxled vs Est Cola

Only the team that wants it more will leave the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday carrying the 2026-2027 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference championship trophy.

Nxled hopes to go all the way in its breakthrough finals appearance against Thai guest team Est Cola, seeking to complete its conquest and become the only second visiting squad to bag the title.

Their preliminary records carry little weight as the two proud teams meet in the exciting winner-take-all finale of the season-opening tournament at 6:30 p.m.       

Est Cola, looking to follow the 2023 feat of Japan’s Kurashiki Ablaze, took the easy route to the finals after winning four straight games in the prelims, including a sweep of Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, 25-19, 26-24, 26-24, on Sunday.

The Thais will bank on their youth and athleticism to repeat against their Filipino counterparts and finally annex the throne after a fourth-place finish in their maiden stint two years ago.

High-scoring Phontham Papatchaya, who saw action for the Thai national team in this year’s Women’s Volleyball Nations competition, leads Est Cola’s charge.   

The Thai hitter braces for a tougher fight from the Chameleons with much at stake.

“The Filipino players are really good. They are both skilled and tough. As for us, we also prepared well. We can compete by using the full potential of every player and fighting together,” said Papatchaya, who dropped 26 points in Est Cola’s five-set come-from-behind win over Nxled last Thursday.

Est Cola will also rely on Moonjakham Nannaphat, Srikuta Nirarach and ace setter Saelao Natnicha.

On the other hand, the Chameleons entered the franchise’s first finals since joining the league three years ago through hard work and a little bit of luck.

Nxled, which got the Invitational slot after Cignal disbanded after a runner-up finish in the All-Filipino Conference, beat Farm Fresh, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 25-22, to close the prelims and earned the championship seat with an assist from dethroned PLDT.

The Chameleons wrapped the prelims with a 3-2 win-loss record behind Est Cola (4-1). Nxled is actually tied with the High Speed Hitters and Creamline. 

However, PLDT’s shocker over the fancied Jaja Santiago-Minowa-led Cool Smashers, 25-17, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12, on Sunday handed the Chameleons the last finals seat through superior match points earned. Nxled has earned 10 points ahead of Creamline (nine) and PLDT (eight).

Experience will be the Chameleons’ biggest advantage behind seasoned stars in former Most Valuable Player Myla Pablo, Finals MVP MJ Phillips, Jonah Sabete-Escamillan, Jackie Acuna and two-time Season Best Setter Gel Cayuna.

Nxled is looking to get back at the young Thais after suffering a stinging 24-26, 25-21, 25-21, 28-30, 12-15, loss in their first meeting.