PVL: Finding balance between Tubu, Viray key for Farm Fresh
Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Farm Fresh leading scorer Trisha Tubu and newest addition Caitlin Viray promise to complement each other despite playing the same position as opposite spiker in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
Viray, who had a breakout season with Choco Mucho last year, brings her scoring prowess and veteran presence to the Foxies.
Amid playing the same position as Tubu, the University of Santo Tomas product is willing to accept whatever her role will be for the young team.
“Siguro every practice naman, lahat naman kami, ginagawa namin ang best namin. And kung ano ang maitutulong, kung sino ang kailangan o kung ano ang kailangan ng team, always ready naman kami sa kung ano ang hihingin,” Viray told reporters during their practice at Gatorade Hoops Center.
Tubu, who emerged as one of the elite scorers in the second All-Filipino Conference during her rookie year, said it will be a healthy competition between her and Viray.
Caitlin Viray is Farm Fresh Foxies’ newest recruit. –HANDOUT POTO
“Healthy competition naman din po kami (It’s a healthy competition between us). Alam namin na kung sino man ang maipasok sa posisyon namin talagang magagamit at saka kailangan ng team (The team needs either one of us to contribute),” said the one-and-done Adamson star.
“Yun nga po bata ang team namin sobrang importante na mayroong mga veterans sobrang dami na pong experience ngayon na alam po naming mag-ga-guide sa amin throughout the season (We have a young team so it’s really important to have veterans who will guide us throughout the season),” she added.
Farm Fresh coach Jerry Yee said that they are still figuring out how to balance both Tubu and Viray but rest assured the pair will be utilized in the first conference in February.
Viray hopes to help the young Foxies unlock their full potential this season and rise from their two-win All-Filipino Conference last year.
“Siguro seeing Farm Fresh from last conference nandoon naman yung talent, yung potential nila, sadyang may mga lapses lang toward the end game (The talent and potential are there. We just need to work on our lapses especially in the endgame),” she said. “Siguro yun kailangan din i-correct together (We need to correct those mistakes together). Kung paano kami babalik kapag ganung sunud-sunod na ang nagiging points ng kalaban (And learn how to keep our composure when our opponents have momentum).”
Coming from a breakout year, expect Viray to continue to leave everything on the floor for her new team.
“Siyempre asahan nila ibigay ko ang best ko and kung ano man ang maiko-contribute sa team. And ta-try ko rin mag-lead siyempre since isa nga sa matatanda na sa team (I know they expect me to give my best and whatever I can contribute to the team. I will try to lead being one of the veterans on the team),” Viray said. “Whether sa game or simpleng sa training namin kung paano ie-encourage ang team and kung paano mag-push pa (Whether it’s during the game or in training, I want to be able to encourage the team and push it further).”
