Trisha Tubu and Rizza Cruz credit Alessandro Lodi for Farm Fresh’s culture shift

The Farm Fresh Foxies have enjoyed a brilliant run in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour preseason tournament and continued their winning streak by defeating the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21, in the knockout round at the Dasmariñas Arena on Saturday, August 2.

The victory secured Farm Fresh a spot in the quarterfinals of the PVL On Tour. Central to their brilliance on the court has been the unique and dynamic management style of head coach Alessandro Lodi. The Italian is known for being passionate and straightforward—traits that set him apart from Farm Fresh’s previous coaches and even other mentors currently in the league.

Trisha Tubu and Rizza Cruz have been constants for Farm Fresh through six PVL conferences and have played under four head coaches. However, the duo has hailed the impact of Lodi, with Tubu admitting that the new culture of trust and freedom instilled by the Italian has given them a new lease on life.

Farm Fresh coach Alessandro Lodi, Trisha Tubu, and Rizza Cruz after beating Capital1 in a knockout game. #PVL2025 #PVLonTour @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lv1PT6udXP

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 2, 2025

“Kay Coach Lodi, talagang ramdam namin ‘yung trust niya sa’min. Hindi kami takot magkamali kasi before, nakakatakot talaga. Isang error mo lang, parang isang puntos agad ang kapalit. Ngayon, ang sarap sa feeling—siya ‘yung nagre-recommend pero buo ang tiwala niya sa’yo. Kapag nag-error ka pero ginawa mo naman ‘yung part mo, papalakpakan ka pa rin niya—masaya siya doon,” Tubu said in a media interaction.

“Thankful kami for Coach Lodi’s trust. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa amin na maglaro lang kami. As long as ginagawa namin ‘yung tamang proseso at ‘yung mga dapat gawin, walang problema. Kahit magkamali ka, as long as nakikita niya na tama ‘yung ginagawa mo, that’s okay. Doon nanggagaling ‘yung confidence namin,” Cruz added.

However, Tubu also acknowledged the role played by the team’s previous coaches, noting that each brought something unique to the franchise. The team has previously been mentored by the likes of Jerry Yee, Shota Sato, and Benson Bocboc.

“Sa dami ng naging coach namin, may kaniya-kaniya silang input. Hindi sila pare-parehas ng style, pero bawat natutunan namin sa kanila, nagagamit pa rin namin ngayon,” Tubu concluded.

Farm Fresh has a tough task ahead in the quarterfinals, as they will face PVL powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in a knockout game on Saturday, August 9, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. It will be intriguing to see how they perform in this high-stakes encounter.

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