PVL: Alohi Robins-Hardy won’t play if not drafted by Farm Fresh

Alohi Robins-Hardy and Farm Fresh Foxies officials during a press conference. –ANGEL DUKHA II

MANILA, Philippines–Filipino-American setter Alohi Robins-Hardy has no plans to play for another team in the PVL aside from Farm Fresh.

Robins-Hardy made her intentions clear just days before the PVL Rookie Draft on June 8, where she is among the 60 applicants.

READ: Alohi Robins-Hardy cool even after PVL shuts door on direct Farm Fresh entry

“When I arrived last year, I made a promise to Tito Frank [Lao] and to Farm Fresh — that’s the only team I will play for,” Robins-Hardy said in a press release sent Monday. “I signed a five-year contract with them because I believe in what they’re building.”

Robins-Hardy was a direct hire by the Foxies in last year’s offseason, signing the 29-year-old to long-term deal. But citing league regulations, the PVL stepped in and deemed Robins-Hardy ineligible to play.

As per the rules implemented in May of last year, all rookies must enter the draft to be eligible to suit up.

READ: PVL says Farm Fresh’s Alohi Robins-Hardy ineligible to play

“If another team drafts me, I’ll return to the US and continue my career overseas,” she said. “I’m not just here to play anywhere. I came back for Farm Fresh. That’s where my heart is.”

The PVL has yet to release a statement on Robins-Hardy’s declaration.

Robins-Hardy also explained why she didn’t show up in the two-day draft combine, clarifying her absence was due to urgent personal matters in the United States.

Despite not seeing action last year, Robins-Hardy served as an assistant coach for both Farm Fresh and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.

Farm Fresh, which appointed a new head coach in Italian Alessandro Lodi just last month, holds the third pick in the draft.

Capital1 owns the rights to the top overall selection and is expected to choose three-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen in a stacked rookie class.