Farm Fresh made a strong return to action Saturday, sweeping Nxled, 25-23, 25-13, 25-22, in the PVL On Tour Showdown before a packed crowd at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
Ara Galang was named Player of the Game, providing veteran leadership and a steady presence as the Foxies controlled the match from start to finish.
After sitting out for a month, Farm Fresh showed little sign of rust. The Foxies immediately imposed their tempo, combining aggressive attacks, effective serving and disciplined floor defense to frustrate Nxled throughout the straight-set victory.
While the opening and third sets remained close, Farm Fresh held its composure whenever the Chameleons threatened to rally. The second set, meanwhile, showcased the Foxies’ dominance as they raced away for a 12-point victory.
The win served as an important bounce-back for Farm Fresh after its four-set loss to Galeries Tower in Batangas on July 11.
Ara Galang Leads Farm Fresh’s Charge
Galang emerged as the key figure in Farm Fresh’s impressive performance, earning Player of the Game honors for her all-around contribution.
Her experience and composure proved valuable, particularly during crucial stretches when Nxled attempted to build momentum.
With Galang helping stabilize the Foxies on both ends of the court, Farm Fresh was able to maintain its attacking rhythm while limiting the Chameleons’ opportunities.
Her performance also highlighted the depth of a Farm Fresh squad that has been steadily building chemistry during the province-hopping preseason tournament.
Setter Louie Romero likewise played an important role in keeping the offense organized, finishing with 14 excellent sets.
“We played a faster game,” Romero said in Filipino.
Romero explained that the team had worked hard during the break to improve its chemistry and preparation.
“We prepared properly. The team is only now starting to gel, so we just did our best to win,” she added.
COURTESY: PVL OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Farm Fresh Draws Energy From Lanao Crowd
The Foxies also received a major boost from the enthusiastic crowd at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium.
The match marked the first time the PVL held games in Lanao del Norte, giving the players an opportunity to experience the support of a new volleyball community.
Romero said the reception from local fans made the occasion even more special.
“It feels really good to play here in Lanao because we knew there would be a lot of people supporting us,” she said.
The home crowd’s energy appeared to translate onto the court as Farm Fresh quickly established control.
Foxies Escape Tight First Set
Farm Fresh dictated the pace early in the opening frame, capitalizing on Nxled’s miscues to establish a 13-9 lead.
The Foxies continued to hold the advantage and reached a 21-18 cushion, putting themselves within four points of taking the set.
Nxled, however, refused to surrender.
The Chameleons trimmed the deficit to 23-24 following a Tubu service error, creating a tense finish.
Farm Fresh responded through Tubu, who made up for the mistake by delivering the winning point with a well-placed drop shot after her earlier power attack had been dug.
The Foxies escaped with a 25-23 victory.
The opening set was closely contested statistically, with Farm Fresh holding only a 16-14 advantage in attacks and a narrow 2-1 edge in aces. Both teams recorded one block.
Farm Fresh also committed six errors compared with Nxled’s seven.
Second Set Becomes Farm Fresh’s Turning Point
The competitive opening set was followed by a completely different second frame.
Farm Fresh came out aggressively, with its attackers immediately putting pressure on the Chameleons.
The Foxies raced to a 10-3 advantage behind their offensive trio and never allowed Nxled to recover.
Nxled’s reception and floor defense began to break down, giving Farm Fresh several easy opportunities to extend the lead.
The struggles eventually prompted Nxled coach Ettore Guidetti to challenge his players during a timeout.
“You’re playing scared,” Guidetti told his team.
But Nxled could not find the response it needed.
Farm Fresh’s advantage was not simply the result of overwhelming offensive production. The Foxies held only a 12-10 edge in attacks in the second set.
Their defense, particularly their ability to get touches on Nxled’s attacks, made a major difference.
Farm Fresh repeatedly slowed down the Chameleons’ offensive plays and turned defensive stops into points.
Nxled also committed seven errors during the set, while Farm Fresh had just one.
That massive difference helped the Foxies cruise to a 25-13 victory and take a commanding 2-0 lead.
Nxled Fights Back in the Third
With their backs against the wall, the Chameleons finally found their rhythm in the third set.
Farm Fresh opened the frame with an 8-3 advantage and appeared poised to finish the match comfortably.
Nxled, however, began attacking more effectively.
Setter Gel Cayuna repeatedly connected with her middle attackers, while MJ Phillips came alive with a series of quick hits.
Phillips scored four consecutive points during the Chameleons’ comeback, helping Nxled erase the deficit and tie the set at 18-all.
The momentum then shifted further toward Nxled.
Jackie Acuña blocked Royse Tubino to give the Chameleons their first lead of the set.
A Farm Fresh net violation followed, putting Nxled ahead, 21-19.
The Foxies were suddenly facing their biggest challenge of the afternoon.
Galang and Farm Fresh Stay Composed
Instead of allowing Nxled to force a fourth set, Farm Fresh responded with composure.
Two straight Foxies attacks tied the score at 21-all before Lyann de Guzman sent an attack into the net.
Ces Molina then delivered a crucial down-the-line winner to put Farm Fresh back ahead, 23-22.
Nxled had another opportunity to stay alive, but Jovelyn Fernandez missed her attack after earlier scoring consecutive points to help tie the set at 18.
Farm Fresh earned match point.
Rizza Cruz then ended the match with an ace that Nxled libero Jellie Tempiatura could not handle.
The Foxies completed the 25-23, 25-13, 25-22 sweep as their bench erupted in celebration.
Farm Fresh Gains Confidence Ahead of Final Assignment
The victory gives Farm Fresh valuable momentum heading into its final PVL On Tour assignment.
The Foxies will face the Capital1 Solar Spikers next Saturday in Negros Occidental, where they will look to close their province-hopping campaign with another strong performance.
Nxled, meanwhile, finished its On Tour campaign with a 2-2 record.
Although the Chameleons showed fight in the third set, their struggles in reception, floor defense and consistency ultimately prevented them from extending the match.
Farm Fresh, led by Player of the Game Ara Galang, displayed the opposite.
The Foxies remained composed under pressure, recovered from Nxled’s third-set surge and executed when the match was on the line.
After a month-long break, Farm Fresh could hardly have asked for a better return.
The straight-set victory not only put the Foxies back on the winning track but also showed that their preparation and growing chemistry are beginning to translate into results on the court.
