FOR the first time ever, Farm Fresh is through to the PVL semifinals.
The Foxies locked in the third semis seat after ousting Nxled, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19, in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference play-in finale Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
Farm Fresh made the most of its last shot, cashing in on a second chance after falling short of an outright semis berth in the qualifying round.
It’s the franchise’s biggest breakthrough since emerging as top seed in last year’s Reinforced Conference, only to be swept in the knockout quarterfinals by Nxled’s sister team Akari.
Farm Fresh advances to the single round-robin semis with qualifying round tormentor PLDT, Cignal and either Creamline or Akari completing the quartet.
“Just credit to them [Farm Fresh] for working hard and trusting coach [Koji Tsuzurabara]. It’s hard, it’s frustrating with new systems every conference but I’m proud of them,” said Alohi Robins-Hardy.
The 30-year-old Fil-American playmaker orchestrated Farm Fresh’s breakthrough, tallying 16 excellent sets and five points to steer the Foxies to a historic semifinals berth.
Trisha Tubu led the charge with 12 points, while Ces Molina backed her up with a 10-point, 11-reception double-double. Ara Galang also delivered nine points and six receptions after getting the starting nod at opposite in the knockout clash.
Farm Fresh wasted no time imposing its will, turning a 7-3 opening into a commanding nine-point cushion to take the first set with ease.
Set 2 followed a similar script. After a brief 7-all deadlock, Tubu sparked a decisive run that pushed the Foxies ahead, 11-7, en route to a two-set advantage.
The third set proved no different, with Royse Tubino making the most of her minutes and sealing the win with a clutch attack in her five-point burst.
On the other side, Nxled’s campaign came to a sudden halt.
Once tagged as an early title contender, the Chameleons bowed out in the play-ins.
Brooke Van Sickle finished with a 13-point, 11-reception double-double in what could have been her final push for a record-fourth MVP, while MJ Phillips added 11 points and two blocks.
Myla Pablo’s injury scare late in the third set only compounded a tough exit for Nxled.
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