Resurgent Foxies brace for Belen; Highrisers ride wave of confidence

Games today, February 26, 2026

4 p.m. — Capital1 vs Farm Fresh

6:30 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Galeries Tower

Surging Farm Fresh braces for its toughest test yet as it seeks a third straight victory against Bella Belen and the Capital1 Solar Spikers, while Galeries Tower aims to sustain its breakthrough momentum against a reeling Choco Mucho side in Thursday’s Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan.

After opening the tournament buried at the bottom of the 10-team field with consecutive losses, the Foxies have rediscovered their rhythm and resolve, stringing together back-to-back shutout victories that not only revived their campaign but also reestablished their identity as a defensive, system-driven squad capable of dismantling opponents with discipline and balance.

Now comes the real challenge.

Farm Fresh must find a way to slow down Belen, the league’s most explosive force and centerpiece of Capital1’s attack. The three-time UAAP MVP has been nothing short of spectacular, unloading five straight 20-point performances, including a career-high 29-point eruption against Choco Mucho. She also ranks second in service aces behind Cignal’s Tin Tiamzon, underscoring her all-around dominance.

Containing Belen will require more than just solid blocking — it will demand a collective defensive effort, sharper floor coverage and calculated serving to disrupt her rhythm. The Foxies appear better equipped for that task now, with their defensive structure tightening and their transition game flowing smoothly during their recent run.

Trisha Tubu, currently the conference’s second-leading scorer, anchors Farm Fresh’s offense and will likely match Belen point for point in what shapes up as a marquee duel in their 4 p.m. showdown.

However, unlike earlier in the conference, the Foxies are no longer leaning on isolated brilliance. Ces Molina, Riri Meneses, Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, Ara Galang and Jolina dela Cruz have all embraced defined roles, giving the team multiple scoring options and improved blocking presence at the net.

Capital1, meanwhile, is coming off a straight-set defeat to Creamline, where Belen still managed 26 points but received limited offensive backing. For the Solar Spikers to steady their 2-3 slate and strengthen their semifinal bid, they must generate more consistent production from Shaya Adorador, Ysa Jimenez, Ypril Tapia, Ezra Madrigal, Pauline Gaston, Cherry Nunag and France Ronquillo.

Setters Jasmine Nabor and Iris Tolenada will need to orchestrate a more diversified attack to prevent Farm Fresh from zeroing in solely on Belen.

“Kung ano yung ginagawa mo sa training, yun yung magagawa mo sa game. Siguro kailangan namin bumalik sa drawing board. Tingnan namin kung ano pa yung mga kulang namin as a team and as individuals,” said Belen.

Even if Belen delivers another scoring avalanche, the Foxies believe their recent surge has prepared them for a more composed response — one built on sustained rallies, smarter shot selection and the confidence born from consecutive dominant wins.

In the 6:30 p.m. encounter, Galeries Tower enters with renewed belief following a stunning reversal of a previously unbeaten Nxled last week — a victory that may prove to be a turning point in its campaign.

The Highrisers displayed poise and collective grit in that upset, with Erika Deloria, Roselle Baliton, Gayle Pascual and Jean Asis delivering double-digit outputs to hand Nxled its first loss after three straight wins. More importantly, the triumph evened Galeries Tower’s card at 2-2 and injected the squad with tangible proof that it can compete with the league’s heavyweights.

“Syempre, high morale tsaka spirit nung team namin ngayon pero syempre hindi parin kami basta-basta magmamamalaki hindi porket nanalo. Siguro balik lang ulit kami sa ginagawa namin,” said Galeries head coach Clarence Esteban.

That confidence will be tested against a Choco Mucho side desperate to arrest a three-game slide after winning its opener. On paper, the Flying Titans boast a formidable rotation bannered by Sisi Rondina, Dindin Manabat, Kat Tolentino, Caitlyn Viray and Jaila Atienza, with prized recruit Eya Laure a game-day decision.

Yet the Highrisers are no longer intimidated.

Armed with newfound cohesion and a clearer understanding of their system, Galeries Tower believes its success lies in disciplined execution and shared responsibility. The team’s balanced offense and improved defensive communication were key in dismantling Nxled, and replicating that formula could put Choco Mucho under immediate pressure.

With the semis spots at stake and momentum hanging in the balance, both Farm Fresh and Galeries Tower step into Thursday’s twin bill not merely hoping to compete — but fully convinced they belong in the conversation among the conference’s rising contenders.