FARM Fresh turned frustration into fire.

After stumbling against PLDT last week, the Foxies came out with renewed purpose, taking down Choco Mucho in four sets, 25-18, 25-13, 18-25, 26-24, to secure a spot in Pool D of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

With their backs against the wall, the Helene Rousseaux-led squad rediscovered its composure and rhythm, wrapping up the Pool A eliminations with a 4-1 record to stay firmly in the hunt for a semifinal berth.

The Belgian outside hitter once again showed her class, exploding for 27 points built on 25 attacks and two kill blocks, while also tallying six excellent digs. Farm Fresh needed to weather a third-set hiccup before finishing strong in the fourth to end its opening-round campaign on a high note in the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by ICTSI, Milcu, Mikasa, and Fabriano.

Down by two late in the fourth, 21-23, Rousseaux took matters into her own hands, nailing back-to-back attacks to tie the score at 23-all. Rizza Cruz then fired a booming ace that pushed the Foxies to match point, 24-23, but her next serve went long, sending the set into deuce.

Kat Tolentino returned the favor with a service error on the next play, opening the door for Rousseaux to close out the match with a thunderous cross-court kill—capping the duel in one hour and 48 minutes.

“I think it’s very important to have different abilities as a team to be able to win consistently,” said Farm Fresh head coach Alessandro Lodi. “And to try to be at the top of the league and of the conference.”

“I’m sure you have to play with quality and at times be able to dominate the games like we did in the first two sets but that is not normal. The opponents have the ability to play better and you cannot play the perfect game all the time. So you have to add the second ability which is to play gritty.”

Trisha Tubu powered up alongside Rousseaux with 17 points off 14 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Ces Molina provided stability on both ends with 11 points, 12 excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions.

Setter Alohi Robins-Hardy orchestrated the offense with 20 excellent sets and chipped in five points, as converted libero Alyssa Bertolano anchored the defense with 10 excellent receptions.

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho fell into a tie with Capital1 for third to fourth places and will face the Solar Spikers in a virtual playoff for the third seed on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Tolentino led the Flying Titans with 12 points on nine attacks and three blocks, while Royse Tubino and Maddie Madayag contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.