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Trisha Tubu during the PVL Reinforced Conference awarding ceremony.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Trisha Tubu believes her first PVL award–the Reinforced Conference Best Opposite Spiker–entails responsibility and pressure. But she is ready to embrace it as she and the Farm Fresh Foxies continue to grow together in the pros.

When Farm Fresh team manager Kiara Cruz informed Tubu to attend the final day of the 2024 Reinforced Conference because she had an award, the former Adamson star couldn’t believe she was one of the standout players in the import-laden tournament.

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In fact,  Tubu even doubted if she deserved to be part of the awarding ceremony.

“Sabi ko kay coach, I’m pressured because of that award. Pero sabi nga ni coach (Shota Sato) na mahalin ko yung pressure na yun tapos lagi kong tandaan na deserve ko yun at tinrabaho ko yun at yakapin ko yung award na binigay sa akin yun kasi para sa akin yun,” said Tubu. “Sabi ko, parang hindi ko naman yata deserve yun. Sabi niya, no, you worked hard.”

READ: PVL: Trisha Tubu leaves Sisi Rondina impressed after showdown

Tubu on winning the Reinforced Conference Best Opposite Spiker. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/U4kO6yM2Na

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 5, 2024

The 23-year-old Tubu emerged as Farm Fresh’s first-ever individual awardee after being its top local spiker and No. 5 in the league with a 36.77% attacking rate. She was the No. 14 scorer with 123 points off 114 spikes, five blocks, and four aces.

Tubu and the Foxies were a late addition to the nine-day PVL Invitational Conference after PLDT and Akari backed out citing injuries. Still, they relished an added experience, especially going up against Japanese and Thai teams as a good preparation for the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference starting November.

With a limited preparation, Farm Fresh, led by Tubu’s nine points, got swept by defending champion Kurashiki Ablaze, 25-13, 25-16, 25-16, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.

Despite the loss, Tubu got a chance to talk to Kurashiki coach Hideo Suzuki, who is also Farm Fresh’s consultant.

“Every time na magkikita kami, lalapitan niya ako ka agad. Sa Japan kasi before, kapag nagti-training kami, after every lalabas ka man sa court or magssub, kailangan lumapit sa head coach para humingi ng advise. Tapos sabi niya sa akin na kanina even na magerror ka man ng sampu, kailangan mong kumuha ng 11 [points]. Wag mo isipin yung error mo. Importante yung point, yung maicocontribute mo na dapat mas angat dun sa error mo,” said Tubu.

READ: PVL: Kurashiki blasts Farm Fresh for 2-0 start

“Lagi pa niyang sinasabi sa akin na mahalin ko yung pressure. Tapos wag akong papakain sa pressure. Magenjoy ako sa pressure kasi privilege daw yun na nandon ako ginagamit, nasa loob, may chance para bumawi. Fight fight fight, laging yun ang sinasabi niya.”

Tubu also relished teaming up with their assistant coach and former ZUS Coffee import Asaka Tamaru, who took the foreign player spot in their sudden participation.

“Talagang isang privilege yung pagsama niya sa amin ngayon kasi adadamay kami sa energy niya at sa pagwwork hard niya kapag sa defense. Nahihikayat kami gumalaw kung paano siya gumalaw, ganon din kami gumalaw,” said Tubu.

“Ayaw na ayaw din ng coaches na mamatayan kami ng bola sa sobrang simpleng way. Tapos yung fighting spirit niya kasi kahit may blockers siya, wala siyang pakialam. So lagi niyang sinasabi yun na just spike hard. Basta i-all out mo. Walang mawawala pag in-all out mo.”

Tamaru, who led Kurashiki to an Invitational title last year, felt a tinge of regret after failing to lead the Foxies to an opening day but she remains optimistic about the young PVL team’s potential as she and her husband coach Sato want them to continue to mix the discipline of Philippine and Japanese volleyball.