Farm Fresh sets out today in pursuit of a fourth straight victory against one of the most formidable teams in the PVL Reinforced Conference.
The surging Foxies put their unbeaten run on the line when they collide with the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the 4 p.m. main game of a weekend double-header as the league returns to the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
After impressive wins over Nxled, Cignal and Capital1, the Foxies have shaken up the Pool A race. Though many observers note that Farm Fresh has yet to face the league’s powerhouse squads, the team remains determined to prove it belongs among the elite.
With explosive import Eli Rousseaux leading the charge, the Foxies have made significant strides early in the conference organized by Sports Vision, mirroring the way the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles have stamped their dominance in Pool B.
ZUS Coffee passed its toughest test yet on Thursday, stunning defending champion Creamline in four sets to all but secure a Top 3 spot heading into the second round of preliminaries.
Farm Fresh now hopes to follow that blueprint – toppling a fancied squad to gain both recognition and momentum.
And with the High Speed Hitters suddenly showing cracks in their once-vaunted armor, the Foxies enter the match brimming with confidence.
PLDT is still reeling from a shocking straight-sets loss to Cignal last Tuesday – a defeat that ended their 15-game winning streak and two-title run (PVL On Tour and Invitational). The upset was even more remarkable as the Super Spikers played all-Filipino following the management’s decision to part ways with import Eva Chantava due to underwhelming performances.
Led by Erika Santos, Ishie Lalongisip, Tin Tiamzon, Roselyn Aquino, Jackie Acuña and playmaker Gel Cayuna, Cignal took control early and never looked back, snapping both its own skid and PLDT’s dominance.
Now, the Foxies are eyeing a similar breakthrough. With Rousseaux, Trisha Tubu, Ces Molina, Rizza Cruz, Lorene Toring and setter Alohi Robins-Hardy firing on all cylinders, Farm Fresh believes it has what it takes to bring down the mighty High Speed Hitters and keep its winning streak alive in the year-ending tournament backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa and Fabriano.
But the proud PLDT side is just as eager to bounce back and spark another run – one that could lead to yet another title campaign. Expect nothing less than a high-intensity battle from the opening serve to the final rally.
Import Nastya Bavykina looks to atone for her quiet 10-point outing against Cignal, while Savi Davison, Majoy Baron, Kim Dy, Alleiah Malaluan, Dell Palomata and Jovie Prado are all raring to reassert their strength and restore PLDT’s winning form.
Meanwhile, Cignal aims to build on its resurgence when it faces Nxled, still winless in three starts, in the 2 p.m. opener.