By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Alyssa Bertolano made her presence felt offensively as the Farm Fresh Foxies prevailed over the Nxled Chameleons, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday, January 18.

The Negros Occidental’s Talisay City native Bertolano finished with eight points, including some timely conversions, as the Foxies opened the year by improving to a 3-3 win-loss slate.

Jolina dela Cruz, who had been sidelined for the entirety of 2024 due to a knee injury, concluded the match with 20 points, comprising 18 attacks and two service aces, while Trisha Tubu added 14 markers.

Dela Cruz, a former De La Salle University Lady Spikers star, expressed that she initially felt apprehensive about returning to the court, as her knee injury had occurred in the same venue while she was still competing for the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.

“I felt a bit hesitant at the start because I got injured here. But as the game progressed, I managed to overcome that fear,” Dela Cruz remarked in a post-game interview.

For the Chameleons, Jaila Atienza was the only player to reach double digits, scoring 11 points with six blocks.

Chiara Permentilla added nine points, leaving the team still searching for their first win after six matches./ASC, WDJ