Trisha Tubu turns pro after one UAAP season, reinforces Farm Fresh in PVL
FILE– Trisha Tubu leaves Adamson to play in the PVL. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Trisha Tubu is turning pro after one UAAP season with Adamson as she joins Kate Santiago and two other Lady Falcons at Farm Fresh Foxies days before the opener of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference.
The PVL on Thursday unveiled the team rosters for the midseason tournament, making Tubu and Adamson players’ departure from the collegiate scene official.
The 22-year-old Tubu, who had an impressive rookie year, followed suit after the exit of her coach Jerry Yee, who was released by the Lady Falcons after signing as head coach of Farm Fresh.
Santiago, who played two seasons in the UAAP, is also leaping to the pros months after teaming up with Tubu in helping the Lady Falcons end a nine-year Final Four drought.
Tubu emerged as the Lady Falcons’ top gunner and Season 85 fifth-best scorer as she tallied a total of 203 points built on 176 spikes, 21 blocks, and eight aces in the elimination round. She also ranked fourth in the Best Opposite Spiker race and 14th in the MVP rankings.
Santiago was Adamson’s top bet for the MVP as she was eighth in the race with 62.1 statistical points in the previous season.
Joining Tubu and Santiago are middle blocker Ckyle Tagsip and libero Cae Lazo, joining hands with the core of College of Saint Benilde led by Gayle Pascual, Jade Gentapa, and Cloanne Mondoñedo as well as former Ateneo middle blockers Joan Narit and Pia Ildefonso.
After showcasing glimpses of her talent in the collegiate scene, libero Cae Lazo is ready dream bigger. For her. For her family. And now, for the Farm Fresh team. Welcome, Foxy Cae! Let's keep those balls flying, shall we? 🦊🥛🧡🏐 #FarmFreshStart pic.twitter.com/yE3nETubQC
— Farm Fresh Foxies (@FarmFreshFoxies) June 22, 2023
The Foxies have announced the signing of Lazo but have yet to officially welcome Tubu, Santiago, and Tagsip.
Sources bared to Inquirer Sports that team captain Louie Romero had a change of heart and will no longer return to the Lady Falcons for another playing year along batchmate Rizza Cruz. Meanwhile, Lucille Almonte and Lorene Toring opted to stay with Adamson.
Under Yee and the core led by Tubu and Co., Adamson returned to the Final Four with a 10-4 elimination record before losing to the twice-to-beat National University Lady Bulldogs in the semifinals but still finished with a bronze medal.
Adamson will undergo rebuilding under new coach JP Yude, while Yee, a two-time NCAA champion coach of CSB, was appointed by University of the East as its new head coach.
The PVL is looking to implement a rookie draft and salary cap as most of its clubs have been freely offering and signing collegiate players with four Lady Falcons opting to turn pro amid their remaining playing years, following suit of their UAAP rivals Faith Nisperos, Eya Laure, Imee Hernandez, and other collegiate standouts.
