The Farm Fresh Foxies. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Coach Koji Tsuzurabara renewed his call on the Farm Fresh Foxies to "change their character" for them to be able to compete further in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
As he took over the Foxies stable, it was already his rallying point—and he reiterated it again.
"[They should] change their mind, change their character. If they can't change their mind, it's impossible to be in the top four," said Tsuzurabara after the Foxies' 25-14, 25-18, 25-18, straight-set win over their sister team Zus Coffee on Saturday evening at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.
READ: PVL: Farm Fresh makes quick work of Zus Coffee for back-to-back wins
And for Jolina dela Cruz, with the Japanese tactician paving the way, it is up to the Foxies to "pressure ourselves" to reach the mountaintop.
"Siguro okay na rin talaga na, ‘yun nga sinabi ni coach [Koji Tsuzurabara] na change your mind. Siguro kailangan din namin i-pressure ‘yung saril namin na talagang kailangan naming maging contender every conference talaga," said Dela Cruz, who dropped 13 points to earn Player of the Game nod.
"Ayun nga, dahil kilala naman natin ‘yung mga pumasok na mga ate, sobrang palaban din talaga sila. So ayun, nagtutulong-tulong din talaga kami. Gusto namin ‘yung Farm Fresh step by step, and nagtitiwala kami sa sistema ni coach Koji," she added.
Dela Cruz also underscored the importance of Tsuzurabara calling them out after committing mistakes on the taraflex, saying that it will help them eventually.
READ: PVL: Tubu stars as Farm Fresh makes quick work of Galeries to enter win column
"I think ‘yung mga tinuturo rin ni coach Koji, change your mind and 'yung character din kasi ng Farm Fresh. Lagi na lang parang potential, so ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi niya na baguhin namin ‘yung attitude namin sa loob, ‘yung character," she said.
"We understand naman why he gets mad every time na parang nagko-commit kami ng small mistakes na hindi dapat i-commit, and I think nakakatulong talaga ‘yun, ‘yung mentality ni coach na ganun na ini-imply niya talaga sa amin," said the former La Salle standout.
"Nadadala naman siya, and ‘yun nga talaga, 'di niya kami tinitigilan sa training so talagang nakakatulong ‘yun sa 'min."
After starting with a 0-2 record, the Foxies are back on track, winning two games in a row.
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