‘Confused. Shocked, maybe a little bit but I take it with a grain of salt.’

Photograph by Mark Escarlote for the Daily Tribune
Google Preferred Sources
Get more Daily Tribune stories in your search results
Add Daily Tribune as a preferred source on Google Search.
Setter Alohi Robins-Hardy is not stressing about being at the center of an eligibility issue after signing with Farm Fresh for the coming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
“Confused. Shocked, maybe a little bit but I take it with a grain of salt. I’m from Hawaii, I’m very chill and laid back,” the Filipino-Hawaiian said during the Foxies’ press conference to air their side of the controversy Thursday.
Farm Fresh management tapped the 28-year-old playmaker as a direct hire to add depth and experience to the young squad.
However, PVL rules state that players who have not played with any member club after its elevation to a professional league in 2021 must undergo the Draft process making Robins-Hardy ineligible.
The Foxies appealed to allow the former national team member to see action in the season-opening conference but the PVL stood by its rules.
“I’m not really stressed but I feel for these guys, the management the team. But I’m laid back I’m not really worried. I’m just gonna do my thing and help the team out, in any way I can,” Robins-Hardy said.
Robins-Hardy last played in the Philippines back in 2020 for Cignal in the defunct Philippine Superliga.
She, however, failed to secure the required Philippine passport when the HD Spikers joined the PVL three years ago.
Robins-Hardy has been training with the squad since last month, sharing valuable knowledge with young setter Louie Romero.
It would’ve been a reunion for Robins-Hardy and former Cignal teammates Rachel Anne Daquis and libero Jheck Dionela, who signed with Farm Fresh during the off-season.
“They’re really sad about it. They were expecting to play with her but then she won’t be able to with this situation,” Farm Fresh assistant coach and Strong Group Athletics volleyball program head Kiara Cruz.
“They’re happy that Alohi’s training with them but they’re also taking it with a grain of salt. But come what may, they’re ready to play with or without her.”
With just days before the start of the six-month-long AFC on Saturday, Robins-Hardy is just letting the management and the PVL settle the issue.
Title favorite University of Santo Tomas (UST) collides with Arellano University High School in the opening salvo of…
ZUS Coffee eyes 2nd win, battles Choco Mucho
Only five players named by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to the 22-man pool have yet to show up for practice…
Young hitter Ishie Lalongisip has seamlessly integrated into and adapted to Creamline’s system just months into her…

ZUS Coffee showcased its perfect brew to scald Akari, 25-11, 25-23, 26-28, 25-17, for a rousing start in the 2026…

Local volleyball braces for the arrival of ace spikers from the United States, Guam, Australia and Vietnam when the…