The 1st day of the “PVL on Tour: Knockout Round” began yesterday, August 2, at Dasmariñas Arena in the province of Cavite.
Third Overall Pick Alohi Robins-Hardy Helps Foxies Make it to the Quarterfinals
The #3 seed Farm Fresh Foxies faced the #6 seed Capital1 Solar Spikers for the first game.
Both teams had one idea in mind: if they win this game, they are in the playoffs. But if they lose? It’s vacation time for them.
From the get-go, Farm Fresh dictated the match with crisp execution and fluid ball movement. Led by Alohi Robins-Hardy, other Foxies followed, like Trisha Tubu, Rizza Cruz, and Lorene Toring, as they broke through Capital1’s shaky net defense.
A pivotal block by Tubu in the middle of the first set widened Farm Fresh’s lead to 16-10 and underscored their defensive mindset. Their collective defensive work paid off, winning extended rallies and getting Set 1.
The second set saw Farm Fresh increase their dominance, overwhelming the Solar Spikers on all fronts. Their attack was well-distributed, making it nearly impossible for Capital1 to lock down any single scoring threat. Caitlin Viray and Jolina dela Cruz stepped up at crucial moments, with Viray adding scoring and defensive coverage while dela Cruz contributed timely kills.
The third set was the only stretch where Capital1 posed a serious threat. After squandering a 16-10 lead, Farm Fresh allowed the Solar Spikers to grab the advantage four times, the last at 20-19. But the Foxies kept their composure. A quick hit from Toring evened the score at 20-all, followed by Tubu’s fourth block of the night to put them ahead again.
Farm Fresh refused to let up. Dela Cruz delivered another block, then Tubu and Toring answered a point from Sydney Niegos with a hit and an ace, respectively. Dela Cruz later finished the match, sealing the one-hour and 24-minute sweep.
FINAL SCORES = SET 1: 25-20, SET 2: 25-15, SET 3: 25-21
Robins-Hardy, the third overall pick in the recent Rookie Draft of the Foxies, turned in a standout 15-excellent set performance while also chipping in five points. Her floor leadership and playmaking earned her the Best Player of the Game honor.
Tubu led the scoring charge with 15 points, followed by Viray and Toring with 11 apiece. Dela Cruz contributed 10 markers, and Cruz added nine. Their scoring efficiency was matched by their defensive hustle, with Viray notching nine receptions, while dela Cruz had six digs. Libero Ann Monares anchored the back row with 14 digs and nine receptions.
Capital1’s campaign ended in disappointment, going winless in all five of their Pool B matches in this preseason tournament organized by Sports Vision. KC Galdones led the team with just seven points, while Trisha Genesis and Pia Abbu managed six each. Niegos and Shola Alvarez added five and three points, respectively, as the squad struggled to find consistency or rhythm.
Farm Fresh are set to face the #2 seed Creamline Cool Smashers, which will happen on August 9, at Philsports Arena.
Veteran Ara Galang Helps Chery Tiggo With the 3-0 Win and Clinch a Playoff Berth
The winless #6 seed Galeries Tower Highrisers faced off against the #3 seed Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the last game of Knockout Round: Day 1.
Chery Tiggo appeared to be in full control early in the opening set, racing ahead 19-14 behind solid floor coverage and a balanced attack. But Galeries Tower, hungry to end its skid, fought back with grit and urgency. Rookie Jean Asis led a surprise rally with a series of dynamic running attacks, cutting the deficit to 20-21 and putting pressure on the Crossovers.
The Highrisers saved two set points and even challenged a key call during the final rally. But Cess Robles delivered when it counted, smashing a cross-court kill through two blockers to secure the set and shift momentum decisively back to Chery Tiggo.
Galeries Tower came out aggressive in Set 2, determined to shake off their first-set letdown. Setter Fhen Emnas skillfully directed traffic, setting up Jewel Encarnacion and France Ronquillo on the wings while Asis continued her stellar showing in the middle. An Encarnacion spike gave the Highrisers a 17-14 cushion, followed by a quick hit from rookie Winnie Bedana that kept them ahead at 18-16.
But Chery Tiggo remained composed. As the Highrisers wavered under pressure, the Crossovers mounted a decisive 9-2 run to steal the set and take a commanding two-set lead. Galeries Tower once again led in attacks, 19-12, but their nine unforced errors proved costly. Chery Tiggo, meanwhile, cleaned up their play and tightened their net defense with four blocks.
The Highrisers refused to fold in the third set, bouncing back from an early 2-7 hole to take a 16-14 edge. With momentum on their side, it looked like they might extend the match. But Chery Tiggo’s veterans stepped up once again.
Ara Galang and Cess Robles combined forces in a blistering finish. Galang scored four of the team’s next six points, sparking a turnaround that put the Crossovers back on top, 21-17. Robles then iced the match with two clutch plays, allowing her to redeem herself with an earlier miscue with a block-touch kill that sealed the win after 94 minutes of play.
FINAL SCORE = SET 1: 25-23, SET 2: 25-22, SET 3: 25-21
Galang turned in a stellar all-around performance with 11 points and 11 excellent digs, earning Best Player of the Game honors. Robles led the scoring with 13 points while also contributing nine digs and five receptions. Imee Hernandez added seven markers, and Aby Maraño chipped in five, helping the Crossovers play with discipline and focus throughout.
Despite the loss, Highrisers showed promise. Asis and Encarnacion each tallied 13 points, while Ronquillo and Ysa Jimenez added eight apiece. However, the team failed to sustain their level of play during critical stretches and struggled under late-set pressure.
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are now set to face the #2 seed Nxled Chameleons on August 9, Saturday at Philsports Arena.
