SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA – Farm Fresh outlasted a shorthanded but defiant Creamline side in four sets, 25-16, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, boosting its qualifying round chances in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex here.
The Foxies leaned on their firepower but were forced to work for every point against a Cool Smashers squad that continued to battle despite missing head coach Sherwin Meneses, Bernadeth Pons, and Jema Galanza. The win improved Farm Fresh to 4-4, keeping them in contention for a spot in the next phase.
Karlo Santos called the shots for Creamline as Meneses was confined in a hospital.
Trisha Tubu delivered 22 big points built on 16 attacks, five kill blocks, and an ace, while Royse Tubino turned in an all-around performance with 18 points off 14 attacks, three aces, and one block, along with 13 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
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“Siguro po ’yun nga, nagsisimula po ’yun sa sarili namin, kasi lagi sinasabi ni coach na unang-una, hindi niyo kalaban ’yung kabilang court. Kalaban niyo palagi yung sarili niyo,” Tubu said.
“Once nanalo kayo sa sarili niyo, mananalo kayo sa kalaban niyo. So siguro po yun yung nangyayari sa past few games namin, unti-unti po nananalo po kami sa sarili namin, sa mindset. Yung chemistry po nabubuo konti-konti. Ayun po,” she added.
Riri Meneses contributed 10 points, including six kill blocks, while Ces Molina added eight points and 13 excellent receptions in nearly two hours of action. Alohi Robins-Hardy orchestrated the offense with 27 excellent sets and three points, while Bia General provided eight excellent digs, sharing libero duties with Maicah Larroza.
After losing the third set and allowing the Cool Smashers to seize momentum, Farm Fresh had to dig deep in the fourth, fending off a late fightback from the Rebisco-backed squad to finally close out the match.
Creamline threatened to force a fifth set after Jeanette Panaga, Tots Carlos, and Jia De Guzman sparked a massive 7-2 surge, capped by back-to-back errors from Tubino that turned a 16-20 deficit into a 23-22 lead.
Dij Rodriguez faltered at a crucial moment with a costly service error, but Royse Tubino quickly redeemed herself, delivering back-to-back points under pressure to lift the Foxies to a hard-earned victory.
Farm Fresh will next face the streaking Akari on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Filoil Centre.
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Meanwhile, Creamline suffered back-to-back losses, slipping to 5-3 in the standings, tied with the Chargers for third and fourth place.
Tots Carlos finished with 18 points and 13 excellent receptions for the short-handed Cool Smashers, while team captain Alyssa Valdez added 14 points and 11 excellent digs as she filled in for Pons and Galanza.
Panaga had 10 points, and Rodriguez contributed eight points and seven excellent digs.
Jia De Guzman handed out 27 excellent sets alongside four points.
Creamline will look to bounce back against Cignal on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., hoping to keep its qualifying round bid on track.
