Though the final result might have tilted against them, Farm Fresh's performance against Choco Mucho spoke volumes about their growth and potential under the mentorship of head coach Jerry Yee and their ensemble of Japanese coaching wizards.
Trisha Tubu emerged as the beacon of Farm Fresh's relentless spirit in their final showdown of the conference.
With a career-defining performance, Tubu delivered an awe-inspiring 32-point spectacle, driven by 30 explosive attacks and two solid blocks, pushing the Flying Titans to their very limits.
Despite their valiant efforts, the Foxies succumbed to a hard-fought battle in five gripping sets, ending with a scoreline of 15-25, 26-24, 25-21, 21-25, 12-15, at the iconic Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“Masaya po siyempre, nagkaroon ako ng bagong career high, so ang sarap po sa feeling. And natapos po namin itong conference on a high note kahit natalo po kami,” said Tubu as they almost played spoiler to Choco Mucho.
Tubu, alongside her teammate Kate Santiago, who also notched a career-best of 21 points, attributed their enhanced floor defense to the tutelage of Master Shimizu Mikihiro, Shota Sato, Asaka Tamaru, and Hideo Suzuki, the adept Japanese coaches who joined their ranks.
The formidable defense exhibited by Farm Fresh didn't go unnoticed, as Choco Mucho's head coach Dante Alinsunurin acknowledged the challenges posed by the Foxies' defensive prowess throughout the grueling encounter.
The emphasis on defense during Farm Fresh's rigorous training sessions manifested palpably in their matches, particularly evident in their remarkable victory against Chery Tiggo and their gallant stand against Choco Mucho.
With unwavering guidance from their Japanese mentors, Farm Fresh is poised to raise the bar even higher in the upcoming conference, promising an evolution in their performance.
“Yung mga coaches naman galing Japan, hands on din sila. Like kahit mali ka, ulitin mo talaga hanggang matuto ka. Sobrang perfectionist kaya ilalagay mo na lang din sa sarili mo na ganito nga dapat, hindi yung puchu-puchu lang," said Santiago.
"Kailangan mo mag-work kahit free ball, kailangan perfect pass kasi free ball na nga lang."
Looking ahead, Tubu emphasized the importance of not just honing their skills but also cultivating composure, maturity, and poise, essential elements in clinching victories.
Despite finishing the tournament with a 3-8 record, securing the ninth spot, Farm Fresh displayed resilience and growth, surpassing their previous conference performance.
“Yung maturity, yun po yung unti-unti nago-grow sa amin ngayon. Sa susunod na season, Japanese system pa rin, so mas polished sana, at sana sumabay din yung maturity at attitude ng bawat isa,” said Tubu.
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