Sherwin Malonzo isn’t mincing words: “It’s a risk for Farm Fresh not to draft Alohi Robins-Hardy at No. 3.”
As the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft looms, the veteran setter has made her intentions crystal clear — she’ll only play for Farm Fresh.
But if another team calls her name on draft night, that decision could trigger a stalemate that sidelines her for years.
PVL Control Committee Chairman Sherwin Malonzo admitted the situation is delicate, citing league rules that bind a player to the team that drafts her for three years.
If Robins-Hardy refuses to sign elsewhere, she’d essentially be stuck.
“Walang direct communication. Nakita na lang namin kahapon lumabas. But I think that being the third pick, pipiliin naman ‘yan ni Farm Fresh. I doubt kung papalagpasin nila ‘yan,” said Malonzo during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.
“Kasi ang mangyayari kapag ibang team ang nag-pick sa kanya, three years hindi siya pwedeng i-trade. Kung ayaw niyang mag-sign ng contract, three years siyang… Although nagbitaw siya ng salita na hindi raw siya maglalaro. So hindi natin alam. Pero sana i-pick na siya kaagad ni Farm Fresh.”
Although the league has yet to formally discuss Robins-Hardy’s statement internally, Malonzo outlined the potential consequences for both the player and Farm Fresh if the Foxies choose not to select the setter early in the draft.
“I’m worried for Farm Fresh. Pagka-dinraft siya ng ibang team, kapag hindi siya kinuha ng first round tapos kinuha siya ng ibang team bago matapos ‘yung first round or bago umabot ulit sa second round kay Farm Fresh, sayang,” he added.
“Kasi kung hindi magkasundo sa kontrata, wala, ‘di rin maglalaro si Alohi. Sayang ‘yung whatever contract deal na meron sila ng Farm Fresh. Ako, ‘yun naman ang nakikita kong disadvantage kay Farm Fresh kung hindi niya kukunin ng first round.”
Malonzo revealed that Robins-Hardy’s statement will be a key discussion point when the PVL Control Committee convenes on Wednesday to finalize the list of applicants for the draft ceremony.
“Right now, pag-uusapan namin ng Control Committee. Tomorrow, we’re convening kasi we’re coming out with the final list for the draft ceremony. Siguro ita-tackle rin namin tomorrow on how to address this statement,” he said.
“Ayun, right now kailangan naming pag-usapan as a group kasi this is something new. So we need to discuss first internally on how to manage this.”
Farm Fresh had brought in Robins-Hardy late last year with the goal of signing her outright for the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
However, because she hasn’t played in the league since it turned professional in 2021, she’s required to enter the draft per league regulations.
Since then, the 6-foot-1 setter has stayed active with the Foxies, serving as an assistant coach while also helping out with the University of the Philippines in the UAAP, another Strong Group Athletics-backed squad.
She eventually filed her papers for the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft but missed the two-day combine due to personal matters in the United States — finalizing documents in preparation for her full-time move back to the Philippines.
In a press release, Robins-Hardy doubled down on her commitment to the Foxies.
“If another team drafts me, I’ll return to the U.S. and continue my career overseas. I’m not just here to play anywhere. I came back for Farm Fresh. That’s where my heart is,” she said.
