By NIKOLE JAVIER
F2 Logistics gave newcomer Farm Fresh a rude welcome by beating the Foxies in straight sets, 25-22, 25-20, 25-23, at the start of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Tuesday, June 27.
Ivy Lacsina starred for the Cargo Movers by delivering 13 points off 12 attacks and one block as a wing spiker, while Aby Maraño scattered her 10 points with five attacks, three blocks and two aces.
F2 Logistics led throughout the game although Farm Fresh, a team comprised of standouts from College of St. Benilde and former Adamson stars Kate Santiago and Trisha Tubu, gave the Cargo Movers some scary moments.
Tied at 19-all in the third set after Santiago’s through-the-block hit, Lacsina and Majoy Baron stepped up by coming through with back-to-back points, 21-19.
Tubu then kept the Foxies afloat with her own off-the-block point, but Zamantha Nolasco committed a costly attack error that set them back and gave the Cargo Movers a two-point lead anew.
The score was again knotted at 23-all but former La Salle ace Jolina dela Cruz rose to the occasion for the Cargo Movers.
Dela Cruz finished with seven points, the same output put in by Baron while Marionne Alba marked her pro debut with five points while starting out as the team’s playmaker.
“We’re happy to win but we still have to learn more, we have to make better connections with each other, especially with Marionne as our setter,” said F2 coach Regine Diego, who had the luxury of shuffling and mixing her veterans with her prized rookies during the entire encounter ushering in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Alba produced 14 of the team’s 18 excellent sets while sneaking in solid attacking points.
“I’m overwhelmed and so happy to win my first game (in the pros),” said Alba, who took over the role normally reserved for veteran and multi-titled setter Kim Fajardo. “Nakaka-boost talaga ng confidence.”
“I knew her (Alba) and I trust here and Kim (Fajardo) is there to support her,” said Diego.
Gayle Pascual, the NCAA Season 97 Finals MVP, paced Farm Fresh with 10 points built on seven attacks and three blocks.
