Louie Romero has high hopes for retooled Farm Fresh
Farm Fresh Foxies.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After Farm Fresh added veteran players and hired Japanese coaches to boost its young team, setter Louie Romero is eager to help the Foxies reach greater heights in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
The young Foxies got a shot in the arm after landing former Choco Mucho’s breakout player Caitlin Viray and eight other players including Jolina Dela Cruz, who will have to wait for her debut with her new team after going through a successful knee surgery.
Romero, who debuted in the second All-Filipino Conference last year and delivered the franchise’s first two wins, is hungry for more this season as they finally have a veteran presence from their new players and Japanese system from team consultant Hideo Suzuki of Invitational Conference champion Kurashiki Ablaze.
“My goal last season was to improve the standings of Farm Fresh. This season, I hope that we will continue to rise and soon reach the Final Four,” Romero told reporters in Filipino during their practice at Gatorade Hoops Center on Thursday evening.
“Expect us to put up a good fight this season. Last season, we lacked maturity because we’re all young players. But this time, our management really supported us in building this team. We want to repay their support [by winning games].”
Romero will have veteran setter Anj Legacion on her side, while Viray gives a boost to the young wing spiker rotation, composed of leading scorer Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Alyssa Bertolano, and Pia Ildefonso.
“We’re happy because we have a lot of new players and their veteran [presence] is really important because they will guide us in improving our game and decision-making,” said the former Adamson setter. “They are easy to get along with. Like Ate Cait and Ate Anj, they were my roommates in Batangas during our team building. We were separated into two teams in practice and we share our inputs and adapt the adjustments so when we play as one team in the PVL, it will be easier for us.”
The young playmaker is also pleased with their training under Master Shimizu, who is working hand-in-hand with coach Jerry Yee in developing the Foxies.
“Actually, it’s not hard to follow and understand our coach’s training. He focuses on the basic skills because that will help us improve our performance,” said Romero. “In terms of skills, he is teaching us the proper way of blocking. He wants us to have a steady and disciplined blocking to make it easier for our floor defenders.”
As Farm Fresh hopes to rise from the ashes this season, Romero is also thrilled for their sister team, Strong Group Athletics, the newest PVL squad that will open more opportunities for other volleyball players.
