By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Farm Fresh Foxies’ projected superstar roster for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) will not turn into a reality this conference.
After the franchise announced the arrival of former Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team setter Alohi Robins-Hardy as the newest addition to their roster, the PVL management then clarified that she must enter the PVL Draft first before receiving direct participation in any conference of the league.
It was Mr. Sherwin Malonzo, the chairman of the PVL Control Committee, who announced the verdict on Farm Fresh’s off-season player acquisition.
According to Malonzo, Robins-Hardy can’t suit up for the team in all the games if she hasn’t declared for the PVL Rookie Draft yet.
The Filipina-American orchestrator’s only way to book a direct ticket to the PVL is by draft, so Farm Fresh will have to wait until the next ceremony before they can field Robins-Hardy inside the playing court.
“Ang inannounce magiging part siya, maglalaro pero could be practice player. Walang formal, malinaw na kung ano gagawin sa kanya. Kung ila-lineup, babalik ako sa regulations namin which is she has to go through the draft,” said Malonzo.
The veteran playmaker first took her talent to the PHL during the 2019 playing season of the now-defunct Philippine Superliga (PSL), with the United Volleyball Club-Cocolife.
After an impactful debut with Cocolife, several franchises began to court for her services, with the Cignal HD Spikers winning the lottery.
Robins-Hardy then quickly paid off the trust of the Cignal management after leading the club to a silver medal finish in the 2019 PSL All-Filipino Conference.
In the same conference, Robins-Hardy solidified her status as one of the best orchestrators in the country after winning the Best Setter of the Conference award.
After spending some time in the PSL, Robins-Hardy continued her professional career overseas, earning contracts in France, Hawaii, and the Czech Republic.
“Her hiatus is over. And she’s ready to start fresh with the #FarmFreshNation. All together now: ALOHA, ALOHI!” posted Farm Fresh on their official Facebook page.
