PVL: Alohi Robins-Hardy set for PH return, joins Farm Fresh

FILE–Alohi Robins-Hardy is set to make her Philippine volleyball return with the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL. –INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alohi Robins-Hardy is set to make her return to the Philippines joining Farm Fresh in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on November 9.

Multiple sources confirmed to Inquirer Sports that the Filipino-American setter is back in Manila and has visited the Foxies during training.

Farm Fresh welcomed Robins-Hardy on Tuesday evening, expressing its excitement over the versatile playmaker.

“We’re adding height. We’re adding might. Join us in welcoming, a playmaker we missed playing in the local scene, Alohi Robins-Hardy!” the Foxies wrote. “Her hiatus is over. And she’s ready to start fresh with the Farm Fresh Nation.”

However, Robins-Hardy’s eligibility is still uncertain as she has yet to play a single PVL game before the first-ever Rookie Draft took place last July.

She wasn’t part of her former club Cignal’s pro debut in 2021.

READ: Alohi Robins-Hardy won’t play in PVL due to PH passport issue

The PVL draft regulation section II stated that players who have yet to see action should undergo draft:

“Draft applicants are defined as all female volleyball players, who previously played collegiately, overseas, or in other leagues, but have never played in the PVL since the league’s status became professional back in 2021 until the 1st conference of 2024,” the rule stated in section 2.1. the definition or rookie draft applicants.

“Interested applicants must meet ALL eligibility requirements before proceeding with the application process.”

READ: Alohi Robins-Hardy shines as Cignal gets back at Foton

The Inquirer has sought the PVL’s side but the league has yet to respond as of posting.

Robins-Hardy last saw action for Cignal in the defunct Philippine Superliga in 2019, the same year she played for the Philippine women’s volleyball team.

The 6-foot-3 playmaker played for VK Dukla Liberec in Czechia last season. She also played in France with Terville-Frorange OC in the 2022-23 season.

Farm Fresh recently signed seasoned libero Jheck Dionela after ending her 11-year stint with Cignal.

Newest Thunderbelles

FILE–ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in the PVL Reinforced Conference. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRERnet

Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee picked up Kate Santiago, Chinnie Arroyo, and Joan Narit after the three players’ contracts with sister team Farm Fresh expired.

ZUS Coffee on Sunday revealed Santiago, Arroyo, and Narit as the newest Thunderbelles during the media day of broadcast partner Cignal at TV5 Media Center.

A source said there were no trades between the teams owned by Frank Lao. The league has already prohibited the sister squads from shipping players after the precedent transactions between Creamline and Choco Mucho and Akari and Nxled.

READ: No trades between PVL sister teams under new rules—Palou

Middle blocker Narit and spikers Santiago and Narit are set to add firepower to the Thunderbelles who stayed winless in the first All-Filipino as Strong Group Athletics and even after their rebrand in Reinforced.

ZUS Coffee recently welcomed veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga before revealing their acquisitions from its sister team.

The Thunderbelles will finally have their first overall pick Thea Gagate in action. They missed the presence of the multi-awarded middle blocker in the Reinforced Conference due to her commitment to Alas Pilipinas.