Coming up short in its comeback rally in the third set, Farm Fresh made sure to start out strong in the fourth as the Foxies repulsed the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-10, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19, in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday.
It was only the Foxies' second win against eight losses in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision but enough to stir up their spirits and boost their morale heading to their final elims match against fellow ousted team Nxled in Iloilo this weekend.
After rallying from shaky starts in the first three sets, the first two they won in convincing fashions, the Foxies fell short of their fightback from as many as seven points down in the third although they forced extension twice, only to yield in the face of the Highrisers’ determined stand.
But Farm Fresh coach Jerry Yee called for a change in ploy in the fourth and the Foxies responded, wresting control early and sustaining their run to the finish, leading to the one-hour and 43-minute victory.
“Nahirapan pero nagawan ng paraan,” said Farm Fresh top hitter Kate Santiago, who finished 14 points, including 12 on attacks as the Foxies continued to gain in experience in a campaign marred by stretch-run meltdowns against some of the league's top teams.
“Nakaka boost ng confidence, ng morale kasi dati hindi talaga kami makakuha kahit isang set,” added Santiago. “One step at a time, at least may progress.”
Trisha Tubu actually topscored for Farm Fresh with 15 points but Santiago also shone defensively, coming through with two blocks and eight excellent receptions.
“Medyo nawalan ng composure sa third set pero nakabalik naman sa fourth kaya proud pa rin sa panalo,” said Tubu.
“Sobrang laking bagay ng panalong (2nd) ito kasi nung last conference (Invitational), wala kaming naipanalo. So, sobrang sarap sa feeling na nakikita na ang growth ng team,” added Tubu, who vowed to dish out their best against the Chameleons.
Alyssa Bertolano and Rizza Cruz matched 11-point outputs while Sam Nolasco, Sofia Ildefonso, Jhasmin Pascual, Aprylle Tagsip and skipper Louie Romero combined for 20 points for the Foxies.
Galeries Tower remained winless in nine games but started to show some cohesion and grit in their third set escape.
Grazielle Bombita and Dimdim Pacres each scored 10 points while Andrea Marzan added nine markers and Audrey Paran chipped in six points for the Highrisers, whose last match will be against the unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers on Dec. 5, back at the Pasig Arena.
Farm Fresh dominated Galeries in all scoring skills, producing 55 attack points against the Highrisers’ 41, and ending up with 10 blocks, doubling their rivals’ effort.
The Foxies also netted eight aces against the Highrisers’ five and cashed in on the Highrisers’ miscues, scoring 26 points, seven points more than they had yielded.
