Manila, Aug. 29 -- EST Cola of Thailand and Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club of Vietnam will challenge local teams in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational starting Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The two foreign teams offer a different brand of volleyball, forged by competition outside the Philippines, along with players accustomed to the demands of the regional game.

EST Cola already knows what it takes to compete in the Invitational. It finished fourth in its first appearance in 2024 when it was bannered by Thailand's U20 national squad, losing to eventual third-placer and 2023 champion Kurashiki Ablaze of Japan in straight sets.

Spearheading the Thai side are hitters Papatchaya Phontham and Nannaphat Moo...