Semis dream becomes reality for Trisha Tubu

For Trisha Tubu, the journey from hopeful contender to semifinalist still feels almost unreal.

On Tuesday, the 25-year-old opposite spiker helped Farm Fresh carve out a milestone in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, powering the Foxies to a straight-set 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 triumph over Nxled in the play-in round.

The victory marked Farm Fresh’s first-ever appearance in the semifinals — a moment years in the making.

“To be honest, po sobrang sarap sa feeling,” Tubu said after finishing with 12 points. “Pinapangarap ko lang ‘to dati, as in, at hindi ko alam kung kailan namin makukuha.

“Pero ito, through process and help na lang din ng management at bawat isa, talagang trinabaho namin itong semis berth na ’to. Sobrang fulfilling, as in hindi ko ma-explain.”

The Foxies’ ascent has been gradual but steady.

Since entering the league in 2023, the team has faced coaching changes and evolving systems, yet it has continued to grow stronger with every conference. Each transition — from Jerry Yee to Shota Sato, interim coach Benson Bocboc, Alessandro Lodi, and now Koji Tsuzurabara — forced the team to adapt, learn and forge a more cohesive identity on the court.

“Alam niyo naman po, naka-ilang coach na rin kami, iba’t ibang sistema,” Tubu said. “Siguro good thing po sa amin ’yun. Yung pag-adjust, hindi naman siya ganoon kadali, pero hindi rin naman ganoon kahirap. Sanay kami sa paiba-ibang sistema.

“Yung mga sistemang ’yun na-apply namin sa lahat ng games namin, at yung bagong sistema ni Coach nag-add up lang, with the help of Coach Koji, talagang trinabaho niya sa amin.”

The shift to Tsuzurabara’s system, she added, helped the Foxies see themselves not just as challengers, but as genuine contenders capable of competing at the highest level.

With history now within reach, Farm Fresh enters the semifinals with confidence, experience and the belief that its hard work over the past three years has prepared the team for this moment.