Farm Fresh Foxies Stun Two-time Champ Petro Gazz, Punch Ticket to PVL Quarterfinals

on
by Misha Cruz

Farm Fresh's Trisha Tubu (12) soars against Petro Gazz.
Farm Fresh's Trisha Tubu (12) soars against Petro Gazz. Photo: PVL Images.

The Farm Fresh Foxies just sent a loud message to the entire PVL: they’re no longer the league’s “promising youngsters.” They’re for real.

The Foxies clawed past two-time champs Petro Gazz Angels in a thrilling four-set showdown, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 28-26, on Tuesday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. 

With that gritty win, Farm Fresh not only sealed a spot in the Reinforced Conference quarterfinals but also proved they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s elite.

And wow, what a fight. The Angels may have tried to lean on experience, but the young Foxies were ice-cold in the clutch. Trisha Tubu delivered another fearless performance, pounding crucial hits down the stretch, while import Eli Rousseaux and setter Alohi Robins-Hardy orchestrated the team’s late-game surge with precision and poise.

When the fourth set turned chaotic, Farm Fresh didn’t blink. Tubu’s off-the-block rocket saved a set point at 25-all, before Robins-Hardy pulled off a gutsy 1-2 play for match point. And just when Petro Gazz thought they had one last push, Rousseaux sealed the deal first with a thunderous backrow kill, then with the finishing spike that sent the Foxies’ bench into celebration mode.

Farm Fresh import Eli Rousseaux (19).
Farm Fresh import Eli Rousseaux (19). Photo: PVL Images.

Rousseaux was unstoppable, erupting for 31 points in another all-around masterclass. Tubu backed her up with 14, while Ces Molina and Lorene Toring added valuable support in both scoring and defense.

“The break helped us a lot,” Rousseaux said postgame. “We worked on our serve and defense, which really showed tonight.”

Now at 5-1, the Foxies are neck-and-neck with PLDT and just behind unbeaten ZUS Coffee (6-0). The chemistry between Rousseaux and Robins-Hardy continues to blossom, and honestly, their connection feels like pure volleyball poetry. “We’re just chill and good together,” Rousseaux laughed. “No secrets, just trust.”

Farm Fresh outgunned Petro Gazz in attacks, 68-54, compensating for their disadvantage in blocks and errors. Robins-Hardy tallied 21 excellent sets, while Molina and Alyssa Bertolano fortified the floor with double-digit digs and receptions each.

Farm Fresh's Ces Molina and Eli Rousseaux (19) celebrate against Petro Gazz.
Farm Fresh's Ces Molina and Eli Rousseaux (19) celebrate against Petro Gazz. Photo: PVL Images.

For Petro Gazz (3-3), Lindsey Vander Weide and Brooke Van Sickle each scored 16, but the Angels couldn’t sustain their energy after taking the third set.

Once viewed as the league’s adorable rookies, the Foxies are now officially dangerous, young, fearless, and glowing with confidence. If they keep this up, Farm Fresh might just turn this fairytale season into something legendary.