FARM Fresh is headed back to the Final Four.
Trisha Tubu powered the Foxies past Capital1, 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, as Farm Fresh secured a spot in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab series semifinals at the PhilSports Arena on Saturday.
READ: PLDT repulses Galeries Tower ahead of crucial Choco Mucho clash
The win gave Farm Fresh a 5-2 record and solo second place with one elimination-round game left, marking the franchise's second Final Four appearance in the PVL. Both trips have come in the last two All-Filipino Conferences.
Even if Farm Fresh loses its finale to Creamline, it can finish no worse than 5-3. Akari, currently at 3-4, can only get to 4-4, while PLDT and Choco Mucho, both at 4-3, still play each other, meaning only one can reach five wins.
Creamline can still move ahead of Farm Fresh, but there aren't enough teams left that can match or surpass the Foxies' five-win floor to push them out of the Top 4. Any tie at 5-3 would only affect the final seeding, with match points separating teams with identical win-loss records.
“Sobrang importante tong game na to para sa ranking. Talagang hindi na naming pinaabot ng fifth set. Sobrang sarap sa feeling na nag-work talaga lahat,” said Tubu, who finished with 25 points after dropping 30 in Farm Fresh’s previous win over PLDT.
Finishing fresh
Capital1 spoiled a sweep by taking the third set and came within striking distance of forcing another decider, leading 19-17 in the fourth.
But Tubu answered when it mattered most.
After an attack error gave the Solar Spikers the cushion, the reigning MVP bounced back with a hit and then delivered three straight points to push the Foxies ahead, 22-20. Farm Fresh eventually held off one last Capital1 stand, with Alohi Robins-Hardy's clutch push sealing the victory.
“Dikdikan talaga ’yung third set. Hindi namin nakuha, hindi namin na-close out,” Tubu said. “Pero pagdating ng fourth set, pinanghawakan namin ’yung fighting spirit. Sabi namin, hindi na talaga dapat umabot pa ng fifth set.”
Mylene Paat-Rezanova added 10 points for Farm Fresh, while Bella Belen led Capital1 with 22 in a losing effort as the Solar Spikers dropped out of the semifinal race at 2-5.
The win also ended Farm Fresh's five-match run of five-setters, three of which the Foxies survived, and will now focus on securing the last twice-to-beat advantage with a win over Creamline.
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