The Farm Fresh Foxies have yet to unleash the full potential of their roster led by rising star Trisha Tubu.
As the Farm Fresh Foxies signed off from the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, head coach Benson Bocboc couldn’t help but reflect on the health issues they faced throughout their campaign.
Jolina Dela Cruz and Lorene Toring were in the midst of recovering from their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, while Rachel Anne Daquis needed to re-condition herself after a lengthy layoff from professional volleyball. Even veteran libero Jheck Dionela needed some time before suiting up for the Foxies in the six-month-long conference.
“Kulang talaga, kailangan talaga kumpleto kami. Kahit setter, libero, sabihin natin [pati] si Tubu. Lahat talaga eh, kasi diba nag-start na kulang tapos after ng January, we waited for the others to adapt sa sistema and ‘yung returnees,” Bocboc reflected after the Foxies’ 17-25, 17-25, 18-25 play-in loss to the Nxled Chameleons last Thursday.
“Nag-work, pero hindi consistent, and then after, syempre nagkaroon ng mga pains.”
The Farm Fresh Foxies finished the preliminary rounds with a 5-6 record under Bocboc, before being dropped to the play-in rounds by the Akari Chargers last March 4 in their qualifying round matchup.
A play-in loss to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last March 11 ended the Foxies’ hunt for a last-chance quarterfinals ticket, before wrapping up their All-Filipino campaign against the Chameleons.
“Regardless naman kung sino ‘yung kalaban, if enough kami, in a way, equipped kami, laban pa rin, pero kita talagang kulang, and marami ‘yung lapses so ayun. Pahirapan talaga, mahirap makakuha ng kahit isang set,” the first-year tactician said towards his team’s chances.
Farm Fresh, though, will have its share of positives to build on as they prepare for the next conference. Along with being a draft lottery team, there is the continued rise of Tubu, and the flashes of vintage form from both Daquis and Dela Cruz since returning to the Taraflex.
Being a young team also gives the Foxies room to grow according to Bocboc.
“Advantage is that marami silang energy tas marami silang potential, pero ‘yung disadvantage kasi pagka tight na ‘yung match, and we’re going to the endgame, or nakakuha ng beteranong kalaban eh ‘di sila handa pa,” he explained. “So ‘yun naman, habang tumatagal, dapat natututo o nakukuha ‘yung experience para sa susunod sila naman ‘yung nandon sa lugar na ‘yon.”
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.