Farm Fresh bounced back with conviction, defeating Choco Mucho in four sets, 25-18, 25-13, 18-25, 26-24, to secure a spot in Pool D of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
After suffering its first loss at the hands of PLDT last week, the Helene Rousseaux-led Foxies came out determined.
They channeled their frustration into a composed and calculated performance to close their Pool A campaign with a 4-1 record and keep their semifinal hopes alive.
The Belgian spiker led the charge with 27 points built on 25 attacks and two kill blocks, along with six excellent digs, as Farm Fresh overcame a third-set hiccup to finish the opening round of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa, and Fabriano on a high note.
(C) PVL Images
With Choco Mucho holding a 23-21 lead late in the fourth set, Rousseaux took matters into her own hands, firing back-to-back attacks to tie the score at 23-all.
Rizza Cruz then delivered a booming ace that put the Foxies at match point.
However, Cruz’s next serve went long, forcing a deuce.
On the ensuing play, Kat Tolentino committed a costly service error, allowing Rousseaux to finish the job with a thunderous cross-court kill that sealed the win after one hour and 48 minutes of action.
“I think it’s very important to have different abilities as a team to be able to win consistently and to try to be at the top of the league and of the conference,” said Farm Fresh head coach Alessandro Lodi.
“I’m sure you have to play with quality and at times be able to dominate the games like we did in the first two sets, but that is not normal. The opponents have the ability to play better, and you cannot play the perfect game all the time. So you have to add the second ability, which is to play gritty,” the Italian mentor added.
Trisha Tubu supported Rousseaux with 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and one ace. Ces Molina delivered an all-around outing with 11 points, 12 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions.
Alohi Robins-Hardy dished out 20 excellent sets on top of five points.
Meanwhile, converted libero Alyssa Bertolano anchored the defense with 10 excellent receptions for the Foxies.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, Choco Mucho is now tied with Capital1 for third to fourth places. It will battle the Solar Spikers in a virtual playoff for the third seed on Tuesday at 6:30 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Kat Tolentino led the Flying Titans with 12 points on nine attacks and three kill blocks. Royse Tubino and Maddie Madayag chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
