CES Molina remains convinced that Farm Fresh’s forgettable debut game in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals is only the start of something bigger.
The veteran winger sees the Foxies’ four-set loss to Cignal and first franchise appearance in the PVL semis not as a setback, but as a necessary lesson for a team still learning how to win on the league’s biggest stage.
READ: Cignal dominates Farm Fresh to inch closer to PVL Finals berth
Despite adding a handful of veterans who have seen their fair share of playoff wars and title runs, Molina admitted it was Farm Fresh’s collective naivety that ultimately surfaced in their first-ever semis outing.
“It’s all about experience talaga. Makikita niyo naman na bago ‘to sa’ming lahat, bago sa mga kasama rin namin ‘yung semis na ‘to. I think nag-aadjust pa rin kami hanggang ngayon,” said Molina.
That inexperience was laid bare in the numbers.
Farm Fresh dropped three of the four sets by double digits, a telling reflection of how Cignal’s composure and cohesion stood in stark contrast to the Foxies’ lack of it.
Still, Molina refused to let that blunder define the remainder of their semis debut.
“We're moving forward naman. Ina-eye rin namin ‘yung mga next games namin. Sana makabawi kami sa mga next games namin. Hindi pa naman huli at pagta-trabahuan pa rin ng team,” she added.
For Molina, the mission is clear: produce on the court while guiding a retooled and relatively young Farm Fresh side through uncharted territory, reminding them to not lose themselves under the pressure of a stage they've never been in before as a team.
“Kapag nasa ganyang sitwasyon ka na, ‘wag kang hihinto. Talagang ilaban mo lang nang ilaban hanggang dulo kasi ‘yung fighting spirit na ‘yun, ‘yun ‘yung magpapanalo talaga eh. ‘Yung teamwork, ‘yung unity ng team, ‘yun talaga,” Molina said.
“‘Yung confidence ko siguro, dahil naniniwala talaga ako sa team ngayon at kung nasaan ako ngayon na team. Mashe-share ko lang talaga is y’ung composure ko sa mga ganitong laro,” she shared.
More than just chasing a Finals berth, Molina is driven by a bigger purpose to let her fellow Foxies experience what she already has, from the rush of playing deep into the playoffs, the pride of reaching the podium and the prospect of championship glory.
“Gusto ko lang talaga na ma-experience ng mga teammates ko kung paano maglaro sa semis at [makaabot] sa podium," she said.
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