The Farm Fresh Foxies are hoping that prized Fil-Am recruit Alohi Robins-Hardy can suit up for the team when the 2024 Philippine Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference begins this Saturday.
Officials of the team are keeping their fingers crossed, following an appeal made by team owner Frank Lao to the top executives of the league.
The 6’2” Robins-Hardy is an experienced spiker at the setter position that they acquired since the team was formed last year.
For now, Robins-Hardy continues to train with the Foxies, which acquired crack spikers Rachel Anne Daquis and Jheck Dionela in their roster.
“I’m shocked (about the decision). But somehow, I’m just chill. I’m still with the team. I’m just doing what I can to help the team,” said Robins-Hardy.
Last June, PVL president Ricky Palou said that Hardy can see action provided that she has a Philippine passport.
Later, Palou informed team management Robins-Hardy will have to go through the draft next year, and join a club squad that picks her.
But officials of the Foxies have obtained the signatures of five of 12 participating squads which will impose no objections to let Robins-Hardy suit up for team, with her presenting her Philippine passport.
The teams which consented are the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles, the PLDT High Speed Hitters, the Galleries Tower High Risers, the Cherry Tiggos Crossovers and the Petro Gazz Angels.
“It will depend on the PVL. As much as we want her to play, if the PVL stops us from letting her play, and she goes through the draft, we will have to discuss our options with boss Frank (Lao),” said Kanapi as the Foxies aired their side during a press conference at the Gloria Maris restaurant in Greenhills, days before the start of the spikefest.
Also competing in the All Filipino spikefest are the Capital1 Solar Spikers, Akari Chargers, Choco Mucho Flying Titans, Creamline Cool Smashers, the Cignal HD Spikers and the NXLED Chameleons.
Back in 2021, Robins-Hardy already played for Cignal in the Philippine Super Liga back in 2021.
Robins-Hardy is a cousin of PBA veteran Gabe Norwood.
