By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Farm Fresh Foxies dealt the Akari Chargers a major stunner after handing them a sweep, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14, to clinch their first win in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on November 30, 2024, at the PhilSports Arena.
After failing to win a single set in their past matchups against the Cignal HD Spikers and the Petro Gazz Angels, the Foxies bounced back with a vengeance and vented their ire on the Chargers to halt their PVL slump.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the opening set as Akari’s middle blocking prowess prevented Farm Fresh from scoring any open looks.
However, Trisha Tubu finally came alive and led the Foxies in the clutch to steer her club to a momentum-boosting 1-0 lead.
The same scenario kicked off the following frame as Akari set the tone with their two-way game but the Foxies climbed back and stormed their way in the most crucial stretch of the second.
After Tubu’s explosion in the first period, the duo of Rizza Cruz and Caitlyn Viray took turns scoring to help Farm Fresh establish a commanding 2-0 cushion.
All hell then broke loose in the third and final set as Farm Fresh evaded another slow start and dominated Akari from start to finish.
Another unsung hero for the Foxies was their orchestrator, Louie Romero, who ran the Farm Fresh offense to perfection with 19 excellent sets.
Not only did Romero pour the oil into their engine but she also contributed offensively after scoring five points.
Tubu led Farm Fresh with 21 points built from 18 successful attacks alongside seven excellent receptions and three blocks.
“‘Yun lang tinrabaho natin. Tapos of course, yung mga ibang puwede pumalo at umiscore, bigyan din natin ng chance. Nag-deliver naman kaya ang ganda ng kinalabasan. Kung titignan natin, distributed yung score ng mga players. Hopefully, ito na yung start,” said Farm Fresh chief tactician Benson Bocboc after their first PVL win of the conference.
SOLAR SPIKERS SNAP SKID
Meanwhile, Capital1 Solar Spikers broke a three-game losing streak in stunning fashion, rallying to a 21-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-18 win over Nxled in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Leila Cruz and Heather Guino-o powered the Solar Spikers with a combined 38-point performance, while Patty Orendain added 10 critical points off the bench.
The victory came after losses to league heavyweights Chery Tiggo, Choco Mucho, and PLDT.
“Sobrang saya sa feeling kasi naipakita na namin kung ano yung mga pinaghihirapan namin,” said Guino-o, who was instrumental in the second set with 19 attacks and two blocks.
Capital1 launched an electrifying 13-2 run to overturn a 12-20 deficit in the second set, a comeback that shifted the momentum decisively.
Despite their improved record of 1-3, the Solar Spikers sit in ninth place, but Guino-o remains optimistic.
“Mas magpu-push pa kami sa training para makakuha pa ng maraming panalo,” the former FEU star said.
Capital1 recorded 57 attack points, 18 more than Nxled, showcasing superior firepower after a slow start.
While Nxled’s Chiara Permentilla scored 23 points, her team struggled with consistency as Jaila Atienza and Lycha Ebon combined for just 15 points.
Both squads displayed defensive grit, tallying 13 blocks each, but Nxled’s 24 unforced errors proved costly.
The match’s turning point came in the second set, where Sydney Niegos’ power hit triggered a 3-0 run, sparking Capital1’s resurgence.
Nxled coach Guidetti Ettore called multiple timeouts to halt Capital1’s momentum, but his team struggled with erratic receptions and disorganized plays.
A pivotal kill from Cruz and a net fault by Nxled gave Capital1 a crucial edge, with Orendain’s sharp cross-court hit sealing the set.
Capital1 rode this momentum into the third set, building a 14-9 lead and ultimately taking a 2-1 advantage after Cruz’s off-the-block finish.
In the fourth set, Capital1 stormed ahead, racing to an 8-3 lead. Although Nxled fought back to narrow the gap, a commanding 5-0 run by the Solar Spikers solidified their dominance.
A decisive power hit from Orendain brought Capital1 to match point, and Cruz delivered the final kill after Nxled’s May Luna briefly extended the game.
Capital1’s impressive comeback highlighted their composure and teamwork, leaving fans hopeful for continued success in the All-Filipino Conference.
