IN Alohi Robins-Hardy’s home of Hawaii, ‘ohana’ means family.
And it was her family that got her through a tumultuous phase over the past year which peaked just before the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
READ: Farm Fresh ends bizarre saga by drafting Alohi Robins-Hardy at No. 3
First, Robins-Hardy was denied direct entry to the PVL last year as a free agent signing on the grounds that she has yet to play in the league's pro era from 2021 onwards.
Then just before draft night, the 6-foot-3 Fil-Hawaiian setter found herself in hot water online for releasing a statement through Strong Group Athletics where she declared a ‘Farm Fresh or nothing’ stance and mulled the possibility of walking away from Philippine volleyball if a team other than the Foxies drafted her.
While a lot has been said on why such remarks had to be made, Robins-Hardy chose to shut it all down.
“A lot of it, I don't even think I read much of it. I just stayed home,” she said.
Ohana, always
Robins-Hardy is about 5,457 miles away from her hometown in Waimānalo, Hawaii. And in the toughest of times, that distance meant and felt like nothing as her family back home helped her stay focused on greater things ahead for her career.
“I talked to my family back at home. They are always reassuring me that, 'Don't worry about that, just be ready to play,'” she said.
Part of that supportive family of hers is two-time PBA champion Gabe Norwood.
The Elasto Painters veteran and his wife Lei would watch Robins-Hardy’s Farm Fresh games last conference even if she was an assistant coach and not yet a player.
And as she treaded a tricky path to the draft, and eventually to the pros, the Norwoods were there to get Alohi by.
“Even Gabe and his family, Gabe, Leigh, and the boys have been there for me. I'm just super grateful,” she added.
All’s well that ends well as Robins-Hardy will finally get to play pro ball in the Philippines like Norwood as she was drafted third overall by her PVL family in the Foxies, marking a ‘relieving’ end to a long and winding saga.
As always, count on Gabe and his family to be there rooting for her.
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