Gabe Norwood has become a familiar face at Premier Volleyball League games — especially now that his cousin, Alohi Robins-Hardy, is finally playing on the court.
Over the past year, Robins-Hardy served as an assistant coach for Farm Fresh while waiting to enter the PVL Draft, a necessary step before becoming eligible to play.
After being selected third overall by the Foxies last June, the 6-foot-3 setter has since made a strong return to competition, leading the team to a franchise-best 3-0 start in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
While this marks Robins-Hardy’s first official conference as an active player, the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup could be her cousin’s last.
Following their 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Capital1 on Tuesday, Robins-Hardy shared how much Norwood continues to inspire her.
(C) PVL Images
“I’m super proud of him. Just super proud of what he’s done and what he’s brought to the PBA, to the Philippines. Not only basketball, you know, [but] to the community,” said Robins-Hardy, with her cousin watching from the stands.
“You know, I’m not even close to what he’s been for everybody here. But hopefully I’ve been somewhat of an inspiration for not only Fil-Americans to come out here and shine,” she added.
With the athletic Norwood cheering from the sidelines, Robins-Hardy showcased a basketball-inspired move that caught everyone off guard — a 1-2 play that resembled a reverse dunk.
Up 18-16 in the fourth set, the crafty playmaker surprised the Solar Spikers when she sent the ball over on the second touch, mimicking a basketball move to score the point.
“I think I kind of saw him reiterating it on the side there. But I think it just comes — I mean, it just comes to me,” said Robins-Hardy about the play.
“And I said, ‘Hopefully this goes down,’ because then I’d look like a fool. But, you know, Coach had shown me a couple videos from before, different players doing it. And so I’ve practiced it. I’ve done it in a few, like, exhibition games or friendly games. So hoping to add that to my toolbox.”
Aside from her 21 excellent sets, Robins-Hardy also tallied nine points of her own — eight from attacks and one from a block — proving that she can be a scoring threat as well as a playmaker.
#WATCH: Rain or Shine’s Gabe Norwood talks about his cousin Alohi Robins-Hardy of Farm Fresh, last year in the PBA, and his loyalty to ROS 🏀🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 #PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/VTY7kpzC5q
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 21, 2025
