By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Farm Fresh Foxies boosted their bid for a maiden finals appearance in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference after pulling off a 25-23, 18-25, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the semifinals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Tuesday, April 14.

Negrense Maicah Larroza showcased her defensive prowess with 12 excellent digs as the Foxies improved to a 1-1 in the single-round robin semis, keeping their finals aspirations alive.

Trisha Tubu led the charge with 28 points, including a crucial 7-1 surge late in the fourth set that turned the tide and denied the High Speed Hitters a chance to force a fifth set.

“Siguro nagtiwala lang ako sa teammates ko at kay God,” Tubu said in a post-game interview.

“Mas masaya kami ngayong conference. ‘Yung tiwala talaga sa isa’t isa ang naging susi sa panalong ito,” she said.

“Now or never ‘yung naging mindset ko, pinaghawakan ko lang ‘yun. ‘Yung bawat sets sa akin ng mga kakampi, hindi ko lang sinayang ‘yung tiwala nila sa akin,” she added.

The win was historic for Farm Fresh, marking its first-ever victory over the High Speed Hitters after dropping its first seven meetings since joining the league in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Cignal Super Spikers secured a return to the championship round after two years, defeating the Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-13, 13-25, 25-16, 25-16.

Vanessa Gandler finished with a triple-double of 24 points, 10 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions as the Super Spikers improved to 2-0 in the round-robin semifinals.

This was the Super Spikers’ first finals appearance since the 2024 Invitational Conference, where they finished runner-up to the Cool Smashers, and also the franchise’s third finals appearance since joining the league in 2021./ASC, WDJ