Farm Fresh made a statement in its return to action as the Foxies swept Nxled, 25-23, 25-13, 25-22, Saturday in the PVL On Tour Showdown at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
After a month-long break, Farm Fresh showed no signs of rust, controlling the match with a combination of aggressive attacking, solid defense and consistent service pressure.
At the heart of the impressive victory was Player of the Game Louie Romero, who orchestrated Farm Fresh’s offense with 14 excellent sets and helped the Foxies maintain their fast-paced attack throughout the three-set triumph.
Romero’s steady play allowed Farm Fresh’s offensive weapons to thrive, with Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina producing 16 points each while Royse Tubino chipped in 12.
Romero Leads Farm Fresh’s Fast-Paced Attack
Romero immediately made her presence felt by keeping Farm Fresh’s offense quick and unpredictable.
“We played a faster game,” Romero said in Filipino.
The setter credited the team’s preparation during the lengthy break, noting that the Foxies were beginning to develop better chemistry after their previous four-set loss to Galeries Tower on July 11.
“We prepared properly. The team is only now starting to gel, so we just did our best to win,” she added.
Her distribution helped Farm Fresh consistently exploit openings in the Nxled defense, allowing the Foxies’ attacking trio of Tubu, Molina and Tubino to apply pressure from different areas of the court.
COURTESY: PVL OFFICIAL
Farm Fresh Takes Control in the Opening Set
The Foxies immediately established their presence in the opening frame, taking a 13-9 lead before holding a 21-18 advantage.
Nxled attempted to mount a late comeback and eventually moved within one point at 23-24 following a Tubu service error.
Farm Fresh remained composed, however, as Tubu closed the set with a well-placed drop after her previous power attack was dug by the Chameleons.
Farm Fresh edged Nxled in attacks, 16-14, while also holding a 2-1 advantage in aces.
The Foxies committed six errors compared with seven from Nxled, showing how closely contested the opening set was.
Foxies Pull Away in the Second
The match quickly changed complexion in the second set.
Farm Fresh exploded to a 10-3 lead behind the combined efforts of Tubu, Molina and Tubino.
Nxled struggled to keep up with the Foxies’ tempo as Farm Fresh’s defense repeatedly disrupted the Chameleons’ attacks.
Although Farm Fresh held only a 12-10 edge in attacks, its ability to generate touches at the net and capitalize on Nxled’s errors proved decisive.
The Chameleons committed seven errors in the set, while Farm Fresh made just one.
That disparity allowed the Foxies to cruise to a commanding 25-13 second-set victory and move within one set of completing the sweep.
Nxled coach Etorre Guidetti attempted to rally his players during a huddle, urging them to play with greater confidence.
But Farm Fresh continued to dictate the action.
Nxled Fights Back in the Third
The Chameleons refused to surrender without a fight.
Farm Fresh jumped to an 8-3 lead, but Nxled gradually found its rhythm behind setter Gel Cayuna and middle attackers.
MJ Phillips became particularly effective, delivering a series of quick hits that helped Nxled erase the deficit.
Four consecutive quick-hit points from Phillips helped the Chameleons pull level at 18-all.
Jackie Acuña then blocked Royse Tubino to give Nxled its first lead of the set, 19-18.
A Farm Fresh net violation extended the Chameleons’ advantage to 21-19.
With the match potentially heading toward a fourth set, Romero and the Foxies responded with poise.
Farm Fresh scored two straight points to tie the set at 21 before Lyann de Guzman committed an attack error.
Molina followed with a clutch down-the-line winner to restore Farm Fresh’s lead at 23-22.
Jovelyn Fernandez then missed an attack, giving the Foxies match point.
Rizza Cruz finished the contest with an ace that Nxled libero Jellie Tempiatura could not handle.
The service winner sparked celebrations from the Farm Fresh bench and the packed Lanao del Norte crowd.
Tubu and Molina Provide the Finishing Punch
While Romero earned Player of the Game honors for directing the offense, Farm Fresh’s attacking corps delivered the points necessary to complete the sweep.
Tubu and Molina each scored 16 points, while Tubino added 12 markers.
Their production showcased Farm Fresh’s balanced offensive system, with Romero effectively distributing the ball and keeping Nxled’s blockers guessing.
Nxled, meanwhile, failed to produce a double-digit scorer.
Myla Pablo and Phillips finished with eight points each, while Jonah Escamillan contributed seven.
The lack of consistent scoring options made it difficult for the Chameleons to sustain their comeback attempts.
Romero, Foxies Carry Momentum Forward
For Farm Fresh, the victory was an ideal response after the team spent a month away from competitive action.
The Foxies not only returned with a convincing straight-set victory but also demonstrated improved chemistry and a faster offensive system led by Romero.
The Player of the Game proved instrumental in setting the tone, with her 14 excellent sets helping Farm Fresh’s hitters find their rhythm from the opening set until the final point.
The Foxies will now turn their attention to their final PVL On Tour assignment, where they will face the Capital1 Solar Spikers next Saturday in Negros Occidental.
Nxled, meanwhile, concludes its On Tour campaign with a 2-2 record.
For Farm Fresh, the Lanao victory could be the spark needed to finish the province-hopping tournament on a high note. With Romero steering the offense and the Foxies’ scoring trio firing on all cylinders, Farm Fresh appears to be finding its form at just the right time.
