The Farm Fresh Foxies, under the guidance of new head coach Shota Sato and Japanese import Asaka Tamaru, are looking to enhance their performance by integrating Japanese volleyball into their system.
The Farm Fresh Foxies are looking to improve even further, following their last-minute addition to the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
To boost their progress, Farm Fresh hired Shota Sato as the head coach before the start of the Reinforced Conference.
After finishing in eighth place and stepping up to replace the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the Invitational Conference, the Foxies tapped Asaka Tamaru to be their import.
In their first match of the tournament, Farm Fresh faced off the defending champions Kurashiki Ablaze, bowing in straight sets, 25-13, 25-16, 25-16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Facing her former team, Tamaru would have wanted to bring home a win for the Foxies.
“[I really regret it because I wanted to win against Ablaze, but we lost. [Though] I really enjoyed the time and had a great experience with Farm Fresh,” Tamaru said in Japanese,interpreted by the Foxies' translator.
Despite their slow start to the conference, Tamaru is seeing some positive things for the young Foxies squad after her stint with another rookie team in the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
“At ZUS, most of the players were young and lacked experience, which affected their strategy and made things difficult for them. At Farm Fresh, although they are also young, they have more experience and potential,” said Tamaru.
“The only thing they lack is mental toughness, which he believes is still weak. I hope to see more of their potential at Farm Fresh,” the 5-foot-7 Japanese outside hitter added.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Asaka Tamaru hopes to bring Japanese style and discipline to revamped ZUS Coffee]
Sato, who marked his second conference coaching the Foxies, admitted that the team only had two days of practice after accepting the PVL’s call to replace the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the tournament.
Nonetheless, the Japanese tactician said they are grateful for more opportunities to improve themselves.
“I appreciate the experience and am grateful to PVL and Boss Frank. Since it was a sudden move, [we] only had two days of training, so their movements weren’t great. But we believe they will improve gradually,” said Sato.
After playing for his former club, where he was an assistant coach, Sato hopes to integrate more Japanese volleyball into Farm Fresh and build a contending team.
“[I am] feeling the connection with Japan volleyball again, as if the ball is falling perfectly. [I am] also happy and want a mix of Philippine and Japanese volleyball for Farm Fresh,” said Sato.
It's not exactly a novel concept. Kurashiki Ablaze coach Hideo Suzuki was tapped as the Farm Fresh consultant during the off-season and Shimizu Mikihiro worked on their training starting from the All-Filipino Conference.
In fact, the two teams even had a sweet bonding moment after their PVL battle.
@onesportsphl ENEMIES ON THE COURT, FRIENDS OFF OF IT 🤝 Kurashiki Ablaze's head coach Hideo Suzuki gave some advice to recently named Best Opposite Spiker Trisha Tubu after the Farm Fresh Foxies' debut in the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference, while Saya Taniguchi and Asaka Tamaru quickly caught up with each other. | via Jamie Velasco/One Sports Digital #OSTimeout #PVL2024 #TheHeartofVolleyball #OneSports #SportsonTiktok
? original sound - OneSportsPHL