TERRIFIC TRISHA

Figuring in marathon matches is becoming a habit for Farm Fresh.

On Tuesday, the Foxies again showed why they are at their best when their backs are against the wall as they pulled off a thrilling 20-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-20, 17-15 victory over a gritty PLDT squad in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trisha Tubu unloaded a terrific performance, posting a career-defining 30-point explosion to almost single-handedly power the Foxies through the tense finish with five of the team’s final eight points. But while Royse Tubino delivered the decisive off-the-block hit that finally sealed the hard-earned two-hour, 19-minute victory, it was Tubu’s sheer power, impeccable timing and nerves of steel that illuminated the thrilling finish.

The victory was particularly satisfying for Farm Fresh, which not only improved to 4-2 but also snapped its alternating loss-win-loss-win pattern in its recent five-set encounters, underscoring its growing resilience in the most demanding of matches.

Down 1-2 in sets, the Foxies refused to surrender, taking command in the fourth to force a decider and extend their remarkable run of five-set battles to five straight matches.

PLDT, however, proved every bit as stubborn, refusing to let the Foxies dictate the outcome without a fight.

Against a High Speed Hitters squad that had yet to go beyond four sets in its first five matches, Farm Fresh seized early control of the decider, 6-3, only to find itself under siege as PLDT mounted a determined mid-set comeback.

With Savi Davison leading the charge, the High Speed Hitters strung together three consecutive points to draw level before surging ahead, 11-8, on a solid backrow attack from the explosive ace.

But just as PLDT appeared to have wrested control, Tubu found her favorite attacking position in the open as the southpaw shifted into another gear.

Aided by a PLDT net-touch infraction, Tubu hammered a shot to the backcourt, ending a lengthy exchange. Davison and Alleiah Malaluan answered with consecutive hits to restore PLDT’s three-point cushion at 13-10, but that only set the stage for Tubu’s takeover.

With PLDT committing costly net errors, Tubu pulled Farm Fresh level at 13 before blasting through Dell Palomata’s block to put the Foxies back in front.

Kim Dy briefly halted the Farm Fresh surge, capitalizing on an overpass to extend the match and force another tense exchange. But Tubu, the reigning league MVP, remained undeterred, scoring on an out-of-system play to keep the Foxies within striking distance.

Davison saved another match point in the ensuing rally, but Tubu answered with another off-the-block missile, putting Farm Fresh back in the driver’s seat.

This time, the Foxies made sure there would be no reprieve for their opponents.

After digging out a PLDT attack and capitalizing on the High Speed Hitters’ scrambling defense, Farm Fresh shifted the ball to Tubino, who delivered the finishing off-the-block hit to finally put away the stubborn High Speed Hitters and unleash a celebration from the Foxies’ bench.

For PLDT, it was a heartbreaking finish to an otherwise spirited stand. The High Speed Hitters displayed tremendous resolve, repeatedly clawing their way back from deficits and twice putting themselves within reach of victory. But costly errors at the most crucial juncture, coupled with Tubu’s unstoppable assault, ultimately proved decisive.