MANILA, Philippines — With composure as their compass and control as their creed, the Farm Fresh Foxies turned what was billed as a high-stakes duel into a stunning display of dominance.
In a match where precision meant everything, the Foxies executed to near-perfection, dispatching Nxled, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, to secure the third semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Centre on Tuesday.
The Final Four starts on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
What was expected to be a grueling, down-to-the-wire encounter instead unfolded as a masterclass. Farm Fresh, bracing for a dogfight, found itself dictating the pace from the outset –calm, calculated and clinical.
Nxled, despite its star-studded roster, struggled to find rhythm, its offense reduced to predictability against the Foxies’ sharp reads and disciplined floor coverage.
At the heart of it all was Alohi Robins-Hardy, who orchestrated the offense with poise and precision. Her 16 excellent sets weren’t just numbers – they were strokes of brilliance that kept Nxled guessing and constantly a step behind. She added five points to her tally, but it was her command of the game that truly set the tone for their one-hour, 30-minute masterclass.
“Credit to my teammates for coming out and bringing their A-game,” said Robins-Hardy. “They were putting balls away, and we came out determined to win. Luckily, we ended up on the good side.”
Behind her steady hands, the Foxies’ attack flowed with purpose – unpredictable, balanced and relentless. Their defense, meanwhile, stood firm, turning away Nxled’s attempts with authority and transforming rallies into opportunities.
For a team chasing a breakthrough semifinal appearance after eight conferences, this wasn’t just a win – it was a statement.
“Working together and practicing this past week really helped,” added Robins-Hardy. “We came from a tough loss and had to bounce back. I’m just really proud of this team.” TMT