Farm Fresh setter Alohi Robins-Hardy orchestrates a play during a PVL preseason game against PLDT. – PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alohi Robins-Hardy had a “bittersweet” long-awaited debut after Farm Fresh’s new era received a baptism of fire from PLDT in the PVL on Tour.
Robins-Hardy finally played her first game for the Foxies after a year of waiting, but fell to PLDT, 18-25, 21-25, 26-28, to start their Pool A campaign on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
READ: PVL: Relief for Alohi Robins-Hardy as she finally gets to play
Alohi Robins-Hardy on her PVL debut for Farm Fresh.#PVLonTour #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/9SLWtFbGwE
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 1, 2025
“It’s bittersweet. First game out there, finally my work is showing. And for our team as well. I’m proud of our girls. We’re really trusting the process. It’s a relief, honestly. It’s been way too long,” said Robins-Hardy, who was deemed ineligible to play by the PVL last year as Farm Fresh’s direct hire.
“Finally being on the court. Coaching sometimes sucks. From the outside, you want to get in there, especially for me, since I’m still able to play. Last year was tough, but it’s great, honestly. It’s amazing.”
Robins-Hardy scored a block and a 1-2 play to send the Foxies to set point, 26-25, but Mika Reyes came to the rescue with the equalizing quick attack and the game-winning block.
The Filipino-American setter, who last played in the country with Cignal in the defunct Philippine Superliga, is eager to work her way to her best shape after spending a year as an assistant coach for Farm Fresh.
READ: PVL warns Alohi Robins-Hardy over Farm Fresh-only stance
“I’m not super satisfied, but I know I can play. I can move well. And I think that comes with my experience. So I think coaching is really helping with that too in his system. I think we’re flowing pretty well. It’s always going to have work to be done, so it’s a good thing,” said Robins-Hardy.
“It’s awesome. I mean, it’s been a while, obviously. The last time I actually played in a game was back in 2019, 2020 maybe, I think. And it feels good. I mean, there were a lot of fans. Obviously not for our game, but it feels good. The fan base is always super supportive, always loud, so it’s nice.”
Despite losing their first game, the 6-foot-3 playmaker relished the opportunity to play with Louie Romero and young guns Trisha Tubu, Jolina Dela Cruz, and Rizza Cruz.
“Last year, I was able to train with them as well. And they’ve come a long way since last year, even a few months ago. I’m excited to see how they progress even more. They’re going to help us win games,” she said.
READ: PVL: Alohi Robins-Hardy won’t play if not drafted by Farm Fresh
“I know everybody’s still scrappy. I was on the sidelines saying, So it’s nice to see the same players on the other side. And it’s just the same scrappy play. But yeah, I mean, there are younger players as well, so they’re hitting hard, they’re jumping high. It’s nice.”
Robins-Hardy seeks to help Farm Fresh win its coming games in Ilagan City against Choco Mucho and Petro Gazz on July 12 and 13, respectively.
“We want to win, obviously. That’s the big goal. But right now I think we just need to trust the process, trust the coach and help translate what coach wants for the team because I know sometimes there’s a language barrier,” Robins-Hardy said.
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“So I think that’s probably going to be the biggest thing for me, is helping translate what coach wants. As well as, you know, pushing my teammates to be better every day, as well as myself.”
The game was also Italian coach Alessandro Lodi’s debut with the Foxies.