FARM Fresh downed Capital1 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 yesterday to fan its quarterfinals hopes in the second round of the preliminaries of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The Foxies snapped a two-game min-slump behind Colombian outside hitter Yeny Murillo who fired 15 points and six excellent receptions while opposite spiker Trisha Tubu added 12 markers.

With the result, Farm Fresh improved to 3-4 while the Solar Spikers fell to 4-3.

Defensive ace Janel Delerio led with 22 digs, supported by Caitlin Viray’s nine, helping the Foxies notch a total of 63 digs, almost doubling Capital1’s 35.

Both Delerio and Murillo finished with nine excellent receptions, though Solar Spikers’s import Marina Tushova led with 17.

In the setting battle, Louie Romero edged Iris Tolenada 16-13.

“We had two straight losses, but our level of play is good and is there,” Farm Fresh coach Shota Sato said. “I just trust our players and we’ll make the necessary adjustments when we train for our next game.

“Our main focus for now is the next game. We have to get the win,” he added.

Tushova’s double-double outing of 18 points, 17 excellent receptions, and seven digs went down the drain.

Ditto with rookie Leila Cruz who had 10 markers.

CHOCO Mucho nipped Chery Tiggo 25-16, 25-11, 23-25, 19-25, 15-12 yesterday to keep alive its quarterfinals bid alive in the second round of the PVL Reinforced Conference preliminaries at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The Flying Titans began their crossover campaign on a high note while improving to 2-4 thanks to the locals led by Mean Mendrez and Dindin Santiago-Manabat who delivered 18 and 17 points, respectively.

Greek import Zoi Faki also had 10 markers, nine digs and eight excellent receptions while playmaker Deanna Wong tallied 10 excellent sets along with four points.

“Sobrang happy ako sa naging performance kasi talagang kailangan namin talagang manalo dito sa laro na ito. Sobrang thankful ako kasi ibinigay sa amin. Although, hindi (madali), talagang trinabaho din ng Chery Tiggo,” Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin said. “Pero ngayon at least nakita namin na kahit papaano (kahit) na-down kami ng apat na talo.

PLDT hacked out a 25-20, 25-23, 25-23 victory over Farm Fresh yesterday to gain the needed push going into the crossover round of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Ranged against an equally determined Farm Fresh side riding high on two straight wins, the High Speed Hitters showcased their grit and composure to cruise to the win in one hour and 21 minutes.

PLDT’s victory was even more impressive given their tough five-set defeat to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last weekend.

Elena Samoilenko continued her streak of steady performances, and the locals delivered superb all-around games, leading the High Speed Hitters to their fourth win against one loss, securing their place in the next round of the Pool A eliminations.

The victory also sent Creamline and Chery Tiggo, with 3-1 marks, to the next round while Farm Fresh finished fourth with a 2-3 mark.

The next phase will see the top three teams from Pool A clashing with the bottom three from Pool B and vice versa, with the top eight advancing to the knockout quarterfinals of the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.

“Everyone is happy with the adjustments we’ve made, we really worked hard,” said ace playmaker Kim Fajardo, who had 12 excellent sets and scored three points to earn the game’s top honors.

Looking ahead to the crossover round, Fajardo emphasized the need for the team to stay focused and study each opponent, while praising the team’s camaraderie and chemistry.

“The connection within the team is great, both on and off the court,” she said, highlighting the importance of cohesion and unity.

Samoilenko, despite being ranked No. 8 in scoring among the imports, fired 22 points and made nine excellent receptions. Fiola Ceballos supported her with 11 points and 10 excellent digs. Mika Reyes, Erika Santos and Majoy Baron combined for 20 points, helping the High Speed Hitters dominate upfront with nine blocks against the Foxies’ three.

THE Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association starts this Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Strike Gym in Bacoor, Cavite with nine community-based teams seeking the league’s first season crown.

“Malaking karangalan at kasiyahan ang nararamdaman ko habang inilunsad natin ang unang season ng MPVA. Ito ay hindi lamang isang liga, ito ay isang plataporma na nagdadala ng pag-asa at pagkakataon sa mga talento sa grassroots volleyball sa Pilipinas,” former senator and league founder Manny Pacquiao said last Wednesday during the MVPA’s launch together with commissioner Mike Tavera and other league officials, team owners, coaches and players at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng mas maraming koponan ay hindi lang magpapataas ng antas ng kompetisyon kundi magbubukas rin ng pintuan para sa maraming kabataang atleta para maipakita ang kanilang galing sa mas malaking entablado,” the boxing icon added.

From eight squads in the inaugural tourney last year, nine teams will do battle in this season’s regular meet, with the reigning champion Bacoor City Strikers spearheading the field.

Aside from Bacoor, also returning are the Biñan Tatak Gel, Caloocan AM Spikers, Marikina Shoemasters, Negros-ICC Blue Hawks, Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers, and San Juan Lady Knights.

Making their debut in the league are the Valenzuela Classy and Quezon Tangerines.

Pacquiao emphasized the MPVA’s aspiration–to help athletes compete in a top-notch league.

“Ang MPVA po, hindi po ito makipag-kompitensya sa ibang mga liga kundi (para) mag-add ng opportunity doon sa mga grassroot-level na mga balibolista, sa mga players na makapagbigay ng chance na makapaglaro sila, maipakita ang kanilang galing. Iyan po ang adhikain ng MPVA, ang goal ng MPVA,” Pacquiao said.

Tavera said each participating team was ordered to have at least three homegrown spikers.

“Each team is required to have at least three homegrowns. I know right now, there are a lot of homegrowns sa teams ngayon compared to our inaugural,” he said. “Ito nga po iyong programa ni senator, ang gusto niya as much as possible, we get the homegrowns of each participating team LGUs.”

AKARI bucked a first-set loss and stunned Cignal 15-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22 yesterday for its fifth straight win and the top spot in Pool B of the PVL Reinforced Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Chargers import Oly Okaro shone with a 24-point output, her final hit thwarting a significant comeback attempt by the HD Spikers, who had rallied from a 15-23 hole to close the gap to 22-24 with reinforcement MJ Perez’s big game and some Akari errors.

The Chargers got their acts in time after a series of exchanges, including a well-defended off-speed hit by Perez, Akari went to Okaro for the decisive point.

“Actually, it was a slow start. Every time, we would lose the first set, then we would rise,” Akari coach Taka Minowa said. “That’s what we need to work on differently because if we keep on doing that.