After five consecutive grueling five-set battles that tested their physical endurance and mental toughness, the Farm Fresh Foxies finally got a much-needed break from the marathon grind – and a more convincing victory to go with it.
The Foxies turned back the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, to clinch a semifinal berth in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City late Saturday night.
Although they failed to complete a straight-set sweep, the four-set triumph was enough to assure Farm Fresh of a place in the next round with a 5-2 record, following a grueling stretch of five-set encounters in which it emerged victorious three times.
The victory also lifted the Foxies to solo second place and secured their passage to the semifinals even with one elimination-round assignment remaining.
But Farm Fresh is far from done. The Foxies will shoot for another victory against the Creamline Cool Smashers on Nov. 21, hoping to secure one of the coveted Top 2 spots and the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
Creamline (4-2), Choco Mucho and PLDT also remain in contention for a fifth victory, with the Flying Titans and High Speed Hitters, both with 4-3 slates, set to collide in a virtual knockout match on Nov. 19.
Capital1, meanwhile, had hoped to keep its fading semis hopes alive but found itself outgunned by a Farm Fresh side led by reigning league MVP Trisha Tubu, who delivered 25 points after erupting for 30 in the Foxies' previous outing against PLDT.
“Sobrang importante tong game na to para sa ranking. Talagang hindi na naming pinaabot ng fifth set. Sobrang sarap sa feeling na nag work talaga lahat,” said Tubu after claiming another Best Player of the Game honors.
The Solar Spikers managed to spoil Farm Fresh's straight-set bid with a spirited stand in the third, but the Foxies regrouped, seized control early in the fourth and held off their rivals the rest of the way to fashion out the crucial victory in one hour and 58 minutes.
“Dikdikan talaga ’yung third set. Hindi namin nakuha, hindi namin na-close out. Pero pagdating ng fourth set, pinanghawakan namin ’yung fighting spirit. Sabi namin, hindi na talaga dapat umabot pa ng fifth set. We just kept fighting, and we’re thankful na nakuha namin ’yung panalo,” she added.
The Solar Spikers came tantalizingly close to forcing a deciding fifth set after weathering a fierce exchange of power hits and defensive digs in the fourth, building a two-point cushion at 19-17 on a rare attack error by Tubu.
But the power-hitting ace quickly made amends, unleashing a blistering hit before Riri Meneses capped a grueling rally with her trademark quick attack to pull Farm Fresh level.
Ces Molina’s service error briefly handed the advantage back to the Solar Spikers, but the Foxies were far from done.
Tubu took matters into her own hands, hammering down three consecutive points as playmaker Alohi Robins-Hardy repeatedly turned to her in the crucial stretch, propelling Farm Fresh to a 22-20 lead.
The Foxies refused to relinquish their grip, capitalizing on an Erika Santos attack error before Royse Tubino came up with a timely counter to a Bella Belen hit, bringing Farm Fresh to match point at 24-22.
Belen kept the Solar Spikers alive with a baseline strike, saving one match point and setting the stage for a tension-filled exchange. But instead of going for another conventional attack, setter Juju Coronel opted for a 1-2 play – a decision the Foxies' defense read perfectly.
Robins-Hardy seized the moment, delivering a clutch two-handed push into an unguarded Zone 1 to put the ball down and seal the victory.
It was a fitting finish to a gritty, hard-fought battle as Farm Fresh slammed the door on the Solar Spikers' comeback bid and punched its ticket to a dream Final Four appearance.
Mylene Rezanova added 10 points, Meneses finished with nine, Molina and Ara Galang added five points apiece and Tubino, Robins-Hardy and Roselyn Aquino chipped in four markers each. Robins-Hardy also finished with 16 excellent sets, matching counterpart Jaja Maraguinot’s output while Maicah Larroza anchored Farm Fresh defense with 14 excellent digs and 10 receptions with Molina also flashing her superb defensive skills with nine digs and 12 receptions.
Belen led another Capital1 assault with 22 points, while Erika Santos scored 16 and Vanie Gandler added eight points for the Solar Spikers, who formally bowed out of the semis race with a 2-5 card.
Tubu also provided a spark in the third set, unleashing five straight hits, highlighted by consecutive thunderous crosscourt kills, to turn a 2-6 deficit into an 8-7 lead. A France Ronquillo attack error further fueled the Foxies' charge, seemingly setting the stage for another Farm Fresh breakaway after its commanding performances in the first two sets.
But the Solar Spikers, refusing to go quietly, forced two deadlocks before taking a 16-14 advantage at the second technical timeout, with Ronquillo capping a frenetic exchange of power attacks, spectacular digs and defensive saves with a backrow blast.
Capital1 then stretched its lead to 20-17 on a Farm Fresh miscue, only for Ces Molina and Mylene Rezanova to respond with back-to-back hits. Molina followed with a clever off-speed shot that caught the Solar Spikers' defense off guard and knotted the count.
This time, however, Capital1 showed greater composure down the stretch, closing out the set with a 5-3 run to extend the match and keep its hopes alive.
An Ezra Madrigal putaway capped a fierce exchange and sparked the Solar Spikers' late surge, with Erika Santos delivering a redemption block on Royse Tubino before Bella Belen hammered down two more hits, the last coming off the block and ricocheting out of bounds off a Farm Fresh defender.
The third-set victory offered Capital1 a morale boost despite losing the attacking battle, 15-18, as it capitalized on the Foxies' seven free points against just three of its own.
But Farm Fresh was determined not to be dragged into another exhausting five-set affair, especially after its recent back-to-back five-set escapes against Choco Mucho and PLDT.
The Foxies dug deep in the fourth, tightened their grip on the match and contained the hard-fighting Solar Spikers to finally close out a contest without having to go the distance.
More importantly, the victory ended their grueling five-match run of five-set battles on a winning note while delivering the bigger prize: a coveted place in the semis and a chance to chase an even better finish in the remaining elimination-round game.
