Farm Fresh Foxies break free from underdog label, Trisha Tubu leads historic PVL semifinal run

Trisha Tubu and the Farm Fresh Foxies have finally shed the “challenger” tag that has long followed them, punching their ticket to their first-ever PVL semifinals in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference.

The breakthrough came on Tuesday when Farm Fresh overcame the Nxled Chameleons in a tense play-in match, with Tubu contributing 12 key points to seal the historic victory, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19. 

The win marks a milestone for a squad that has steadily climbed from underdog status to legitimate semifinal contenders. 

“To be honest, sobrang sarap sa feeling. Pinapangarap ko lang to dati. Hindi ko alam kung kailan namin makukuha, pero ito through process and help na lang din ng management and bawat isa talagang trinabaho namin itong semis berth na ito,” the former Adamson Lady Falcon star player said. 

Long considered underdogs, the Foxies had embraced the “challenger” label—but Tubu and her teammates were determined it would not define them forever.

“‘Yun nga ‘yung laging sinasabi ni coach sa amin, challenger lang kami. Pero hanggang kailan kami magiging challenger?” the second on the race for best scorers in the conference said. 

That question has fueled Farm Fresh’s transformation, driving the team to focus on small, steady growth—point by point—rather than fixating on the final outcome.

“Sabi ni coach, huwag niyong isipin na mananalo kayo. Isipin niyo paano kayo mag one point after a point,” Tubu explained.

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AAAAHHHH A “FINALLY!” MOMENT FOR TRISHA TUBU!! I love this for you girl!! #PVL2026 https://t.co/YB5zY3Vs4Z

— Huhh?? (@bepblap) April 7, 2026

The journey has not been smooth. Since 2023, the team has endured multiple coaching changes and system overhauls, demanding constant adaptation from the players. Yet, Tubu sees those challenges as a blessing in disguise.

“Sanay kami sa paiba-ibang sistema,” she said. “‘Yung mga natutunan namin, na-apply namin sa games.”

Under current head coach Koji Tsuzurabara, the focus has expanded beyond skills, emphasizing mindset and mental resilience.

“Hindi lang skills ‘yung trinabaho sa amin, kundi mindset,” Tubu said. “‘Change your thinking, change your mindset’—’yun talaga ‘yung tumatak sa amin.”

What once seemed like a distant dream is now reality. Farm Fresh is no longer chasing—the Foxies have arrived.

“Hindi kami pwedeng challengers lang,” Tubu declared. “Kailangan aangat kami.”

The Farm Fresh Foxies are set to face the Cignal Super Spikers in the semifinals on Saturday, April 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The Foxies will look to carry their momentum from the historic play-in win as they aim for a spot in the PVL finals.

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