Despite a promising start, Farm Fresh encounter stiff resistance in the third set against Strong Group, but ultimately claimed a commanding 25-10, 25-15, 25-22 victory in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Thursday.
Pia Ildefonso’s pivotal performance late in the match proved instrumental in thwarting Strong Group’s attempts to extend the game, lifting the Foxies to the one-hour, 21-minute triumph in front of an enthusiastic crowd eagerly anticipating the Choco Mucho-Creamline clash later in the day.
The win marked the Foxies’ third victory against seven defeats, while Strong Group headed to a winless debut campaign, suffering its 10th consecutive defeat.
Farm Fresh seemed poised to dispatch Strong Group swiftly, establishing a commanding 9-1 lead in the opening set and maintaining its dominance throughout the second frame.
However, Strong Group battled Farm Fresh in a back-and-forth duel in the third. Despite briefly taking the lead twice, the last at 22-21, the Athletics faltered with critical misses in their offensive plays.
In that stretch, Ildefonso rose to the occasion, delivering three decisive hits and enabling the Foxies to complete the straight-set romp.
Trisha Tubu spearheaded Farm Fresh’s early assault, contributing five points midway through the first set en route to a team-high 13-point performance, while Caitlin Viray showcased her prowess with 11 points in a two-set appearance.
“Thankfully po nakuha po ulit namin yung win after consecutive losses po namin sa mga past few games po naming,” said Tubu. “Maganda po ito na paghuhugutan namin para sa last game namin sa Tuesday, which is Choco Mucho.”
“Siguro yung maglaro kami nang maayos, regardless kung sino yung kalaban namin kailangan parehas lang yung mindset namin. Dapat laban kami hanggang matapos yung game,” said Viray.
Chinnie Arroyo added seven points, Ildefonso finished with six, and Alyssa Bertolano and Ypril Tapia contributed five points each.
Rizza Cruz and Jaycel delos Reyes chipped in four points apiece while Aprylle Tagsip rounded out the scoring with three points for Farm Fresh.
The Foxies asserted their superiority in attacks, scoring 49 points compared to their opponents’ 29, along with eight blocks to Strong Group’s three.
Souzan Raslan led the scoring for Strong Group with nine points, supported by Mary Joy Onofre with seven markers, and Dolly Verzosa and Sheeka Espinosa with six points apiece.
Farm Fresh is set to face Choco Mucho next Tuesday while the Athletics will conclude their campaign against the Akari Chargers on April 27.
