The Farm Fresh Foxies welcomed back Jolina Dela Cruz and Lorene Toring after a year off from injury in a resounding win over the hapless Nxled Chameleons in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
It was a clean slate for fit-again Jolina Dela Cruz and Lorene Toring as they welcomed a fresh start with the Farm Fresh Foxies in 2025, returning from injury in a convincing three-set win over the Nxled Chameleons, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday.
Plunged back into the starting lineup in their first game back from more than a year off due to injury, both players were given much a needed confidence boost by head coach Benson Bocboc, and with the monkey off of their backs,
Dela Cruz and Toring had nothing but good things to say about their return.
“Masaya and nakakamiss talaga maramdaman ulit yung pressure [kapag maglalaro],” Dela Cruz said.
“Yun nga, privilege siya and thank you din kay Coach Boc na binigyan niya kami ni Lorene ng opportunity na makapaglaro ulit at masama sa starters,” she added.
Dela Cruz picked up right where she left off, taking Player of the Game honors with 20 points.
[RELATED: PVL: Jolina Dela Cruz, Lorene Toring shine in debut as Farm Fresh sweeps Nxled]
Meanwhile, Toring, was able to make her professional debut with three markers.
“Sobrang happy kasi matagal ko na tong inintay, kaming dalawa ni Jolina, and gustong-gusto ko na rin talaga maglaro sa Farm Fresh kasi andon yung mga previous kong teammates sila Louie [Romero], sila [Trisha] Tubu, Aprylle [Tagsip], and Rizza [Cruz],” she said.
Their return sweetened the New Year for Farm Fresh, who have now evened their slate at 3-3 in the standings.
With a renewed energy to play the rest of the conference, Dela Cruz and Toring are eager to make up for lost time — especially after a year of learning from the sidelines.
“Naging opportunity din samin na naging observer kami sa labas so nakikita namin ah ganito pala dapat kung paano paluin, ganito siguro dapat. Opportunity siya para makapag-aral pa kami,” said Dela Cruz.
“Almost one year din yun na parang naga-aral kami ni Lorene and ayun, sana ma-master pa namin.”
Now, the Foxies are awaiting just one more player to return from injury: Rachel Anne Daquis.
Farm Fresh returns to action against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Saturday, January 25, at the PhilSports Arena.