Farm Fresh finally tasted victory after seven straight defeats marred by a five-set setback to F2 Logistics last week, rolling past Gerflor, 25-17, 25-17, 25-15, in a duel of ousted teams in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference elims at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday.
Efficient hitting from Camill Avila in the third set highlighted the Foxies’ game-long domination of the Defenders as she came off the bench and dropped six points to lead the team’s charge in that stretch on their way to the 71-minute victory.
While the win didn’t lift the team from the doldrums, it still proved inspiring for the young Foxies, who finally were able to close out a key set after blowing chances against tough teams like Creamline and Cignal, whom they both dragged into four-set duels.
Skipper and playmaker Louie Romero bagged the game’s top honors after putting up a 13-excellent set showing and finishing with two points while Kate Santiago sizzled with 18 points and the power-hitting lefty Trisha Tubu added nine markers in a two-set stint.
“We’re very happy to have finally won. It’s a result of our training and sacrifices,” said Romero. “We just hope to build on this (win).”
It was actually the Foxies’ first victory after 12 losses, including five in a fruitless debut in the PVL Invitational.
“We studied Gerflor’s game and we reminded ourselves not to underestimate the Defenders,” added Romero when asked how they were able to close out the Defenders, who fell to 0-7.
At 1-7, Farm Fresh is out of the semis race since forcing F2 Logistics to a five-set duel before losing steam in the decider. The Foxies could only finish at best with four wins with the fourth and fifth-running Cignal and PLDT already toting 5-2 slates.
“Masaya po kasi yun nga po tulad ni Ate (Louie), nagbunga yung training namin, first win,” said Tubu. “Kaya ang sarap lang din po sa feeling. Hindi ko rin ini-expect kasi naglalaro lang kami, naglalaro lang ako na para sa team din.”
For libero Kiara Cruz, it was worth the wait.
“Sobrang tagal na din namin ‘tong inantay and naging patient lang kami and we’ve always had each other’s back kahit yung management, we’re so blessed to have them,” said Cruz, who produced seven excellent digs next to Cae Lazo’s nine. “Parang overwhelming yung feeling for us and lalo na yun nga, bata pa kami. Pero sobrang saya, yun lang talaga, wala kaming ibang masabi kundi masaya.”
Jeanette Villareal and Danika Gendrauli led Gerflor with 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Menche Tubiera added seven markers for the Defenders, who scored just 31 points in attacks, 18 less than the Foxies.
Gerflor had more blocks, 5-2 but yielded six aces and 18 unforced errors.
