Farm Fresh weathered a late surge from Ho Chi Minh City, 25-14, 25-15, 26-28, 25-20, to make a triumphant start to the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After surrendering a tight third set, 26-28, the Foxies appeared to regain the dominant form they displayed in the opening two frames, building a commanding 19-10 lead in the fourth.
(C) PVL Images
However, the Vietnamese guest team had one last run in them.
Captain Dang Thi Kim Thanh spearheaded Ho Chi Minh City’s final charge alongside Nguyen Thi Nha Phuong, cutting the deficit to just three, 20-23.
Farm Fresh, though, answered with back-to-back hits from left-handed attackers Jonna Perdido and Trisha Tubu to seal the victory after one hour and 50 minutes.
“Today’s game was fantastic. I appreciate the Ho Chi Minh team. We already saw this Ho Chi Minh team last month when we participated in the Taiwan games. They have a high-level and good system from their junior to senior team. Their system should be learned by Philippine volleyball,” said Farm Fresh head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.
The Foxies, along with defending champion PLDT High Speed Hitters and powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, emerged as the early leaders after opening-day victories over separate foes.
Tubu led Farm Fresh with 25 points and six digs, while rookie Jonna Perdido made an impressive regular-season debut with 17 points and 16 excellent receptions.
Ces Molina and Riri Meneses also contributed 12 points apiece in the victory.
(C) PVL Images
Farm Fresh will face another guest team on Tuesday, battling EST Cola of Thailand at 4 p.m.
Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City will look to enter the win column against Creamline at 6:30 p.m.
Nha Phuong led the Vietnamese visitors with 13 points, 13 receptions, and 17 digs, while Thanh and Dao Thi Nhung added 12 points apiece.
