![Pia Ildefonso of Farm Fresh Foxies at the PVL All-Philippine Conference](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/10/IMG_0239_PVL-All-Filipino-Conference-Farm-Fresh-Creamline_Pia-Ildefonso-620x413.jpg)
Pia Ildefonso of Farm Fresh Foxies at the PVL All-Philippine Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRERnet
MANILA, Philippines – Pia Ildefonso was a revelation in her first start for Farm Fresh as she played her best match yet in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
The Foxies may have gone winless in five games, but they pushed defending champion Creamline Cool Smashers to their limits before conceding a 21-25. 25-21, 20-2, 22-25 defeat in the second PVL Conference of 2023, Tuesday at the FilOIl EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
And Ildefonso backed up their brave stand as she dropped a career-high 12 points and 11 outstanding receptions.
“Honestly, this is the longest I’ve ever played in my life since I learned to play volleyball. Even with Ateneo, I have never played for so long,” Ildefonso said in Filipino after the match.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagle admitted she was surprised when coach Jerry Yee decided to start her, but she refused to be pressured.
“There was no pressure. I just played what we train for, how I really play,” Ildefonso said. “That’s also what the coach said to me: ‘just play your game’, because I have nothing to lose. I really appreciate this and am grateful for this opportunity.”
“I couldn’t believe I had scored twelve points. It’s the first time in my life I’ve reached double figures. I am happy, grateful and overwhelmed.”
![Pia Ildefonso of Farm Fresh Foxies at the PVL All-Philippine Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRERnet](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2023/10/IMG_0781_PVL-All-Filipino-Conference-Farm-Fresh-Creamline_Pia-Ildefonso-620x413.jpg)
Pia Ildefonso of Farm Fresh Foxies at the PVL All-Philippine Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRERnet
Ildefonso, who played as a middle blocker in her only season at Ateneo last year, is grateful for the trust of coach Jerry Yee and setter Louie Romero, who helped her play well as an outside hitter against a championship team.
“I am very grateful for Coach Jerry’s confidence in me. And also to Louie, who kept passing the ball. Even during training, I appreciate how much she talks to me,” Ildefonso said.
“Since we’re playing against Creamline, all our idols, all the people we still look up to until now. I really felt the heart and we all wanted to contribute, we all wanted to get one. “I feel like I owe it to my teammates, we owe everything to each other, because we didn’t give up and give them fights,” she added.
Although her career game came to nothing. Ildefonso said they remain optimistic as their brave stand against Creamline will boost their confidence for the remaining matches.
“Our team owner, Tito Frank [Lao] told us that he saw us playing with heart and soul and that he is very proud of us for how we performed because we really fought them and we all played how we really played and we really wanted to win,” she said in the Filipino.
The PVL rookie, who decided to give up her remaining playing years at Ateneo and join the Foxies last conference, said they must continue to build their chemistry and remain patient to finally end their 10-match losing streak in the Invitationals.
“We can’t always say that we are still young and that we are a new team, as if it is only our second conference. But in reality, sometimes it really is. The other teams have already formed solid chemistry and chemistry is a big factor. That is what we try to develop every day,” said Ildefonso. “And little by little we achieve our small goals every day. That is what is important to us: focus on our team.”
Pia Ildefonso after playing her best PVL match yet for Farm Fresh. She shined in her first start with 12 points and 11 excellent receptions. #PVL2023
Posted by Inquirer Sports on Tuesday, October 31, 2023