BY ABBY TORALBA
FARM Fresh met stiff resistance in the third set but still had enough to hurdle Strong Group, scoring a 25-10, 25-15, 25-22 victory yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Pia Ildefonso’s pivotal performance late in the match proved instrumental in thwarting Strong Group’s attempts to extend the game, lifting the Foxies to the one-hour, 21-minute triumph in front of an enthusiastic crowd eagerly anticipating the Choco Mucho-Creamline clash later in the day.
The win marked the Foxies’ third victory against seven defeats, while Strong Group headed to a winless debut campaign, suffering its 10th consecutive defeat.
Farm Fresh seemed poised to dispatch Strong Group swiftly, establishing a commanding 9-1 lead in the opening set and maintaining its dominance throughout the second frame.
However, Strong Group battled Farm Fresh in a back-and-forth duel in the third. Despite briefly taking the lead twice, the last at 22-21, the Athletics faltered with critical misses in their offensive plays.
In that stretch, Ildefonso rose to the occasion, delivering three decisive hits and enabling the Foxies to complete the straight-set romp.
Trisha Tubu spearheaded Farm Fresh’s early assault, contributing five points midway through the first set en route to a team-high 13-point performance, while Caitlin Viray showcased her prowess with 11 points in a two-set appearance.
“Thankfully nakuha po ulit namin ‘yung win after consecutive losses sa mga past few games po namin,” said Tubu. “Maganda ito na paghuhugutan namin para sa last game namin sa Tuesday, which is Choco Mucho.
