Alohi Robins-Hardy can now breathe a massive sigh of relief after getting picked third overall by the Farm Fresh Foxies.
The Farm Fresh Foxies didn’t waste any time selecting Alohi Robins-Hardy in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft held last Sunday, June 8, at the Novotel Araneta in Cubao.
Robins-Hardy was picked third overall in Sunday’s draft festivities and is finally expected to make her PVL debut with the Foxies after a year-long wait due to current league regulations on the rookie draft.
More than feeling a sense of excitement, Robins-Hardy felt a huge sense of relief, knowing that she could finally suit up for the team that brought her back to Philippine volleyball.
“Honestly, right now, I’m more relieved than excited, as you’ve heard. Just because I finally get to go to court. I finally get to play the sport that I love,” Robins-Hardy told reporters.
As an added bonus, Farm Fresh is also set to receive a wiser Alohi Robins-Hardy, who spent her one-year hiatus as an assistant coach for Farm Fresh, and even the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons for UAAP Season 87.
Seeing both sides of the game, Robins-Hardy said, gave her a broader perspective on player-to-coach dynamics in sports, which she hopes to improve once she suits up for the Foxies.
“I know the players sometimes have a hard time communicating with coaches, and I got to see that quite a bit last season. So I’m hoping that I can help with that this coming season. A lot has been said about your participation in the draft, the people that you’ll go to.
Blocking out the noise
While she’s now expected to steer an offense led by Best Opposite Trisha Tubu, Alohi Robins-Hardy’s unexpected hiatus wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.
Things reached a boiling point leading up to Sunday’s draft, where Robins-Hardy stressed that she would only play for the Foxies in the PVL. Understandably, a social media firestorm followed, with fans questioning the said statement from the Fil-Hawaiian ace.
Amid this controversy, Robins-Hardy made sure to rely on her support system, namely her family, which includes cousin and PBA veteran Gabe Norwood.
“You know, a lot of it, I don’t even think I read much of it, I just stayed home, talked to my family back at home. They’re always reassuring me that, you know? Don’t worry about that. Just be ready to play,” Robins-Hardy said.
“Even Gabe [Norwood] and his family. Gabe, Leigh, the boys have been there for me, so I’m super grateful.”
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.