Foxies now primed for Invitational after impressive On Tour stint

Ara Galang (left) comes off the bench and steps up big for Farm Fresh. —PVL IMAGES

VICTORIAS, Negros Occidental—After an impressive preseason, Farm Fresh turns its attention to the PVL Invitationals where the likes of defending champion PLDT, the Jaja Santiago-Minowa-led Creamline, Nxled, Thailand’s EST Cola and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City await.

The Foxies survived a test of character to end their PVL On Tour stint on a high note, eking out a come-from-behind 20-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-12, 15-10 win over Capital1 on Saturday at the Victorias City Coliseum here.

Reigning Season MVP Trisha Tubu did most of the damage with 24 points, but it was veterans Ces Molina and Ara Galang who spelled the difference as the Foxies finished their preseason with two wins in three matches.

Molina had 16 points, 17 excellent receptions and 11 digs, while Galang came off the bench to lead a strong fourth set and finish with 14 points from eight spikes, three blocks and three aces. Galang also tallied eight digs.

“Our coach’s only reminder before warm-ups was that he wanted us to go home with a win,” the seasoned Molina said in Filipino. “We really wanted to win our last game so we could carry that confidence into the Invitationals.”

“Of course, we couldn’t have done it without our teammates’ help. Everyone contributed, especially Ara coming off the bench. She gave us a lot of points and brought great energy.”

The Foxies brace for a very different challenge in the Invitationals, especially with Santiago-Minowa coming back to bolster the Cool Smashers. The former league MVP returns to the team she took down in the finals five years ago, bringing her experience in the Japan SV.League, where she won a title and Best Blocker twice.

“This time, her teammates are local players. That will also matter—whether she adjusts to the local style or brings out the international side of her game,” Molina said. “We’ll leave it to Coach to decide how we prepare for that.”

Galang agreed as they guide a younger generation, led by Tubu and Louie Romero, in their first duel against the 6-foot-5 middle blocker.

“The most important thing is that we work together as a team. We won’t focus only on one person because there are six players on the court,” said Galang. “We can’t focus entirely on Jaja and forget about everyone else. What matters is we play together.”

Molina relished the opportunity to play in the Invitationals, facing players from Thailand and Vietnam aside from the top PVL squads.

“I think this is a great opportunity for our team,” she said. “It’s another test of our teamwork and chemistry.” INQ