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Tag: Koji Tsuzurabara

  • “We must make a new history”: Koji Tsuzurabara leads Farm Fresh to PVL semifinals for the first time

    “We must make a new history”: Koji Tsuzurabara leads Farm Fresh to PVL semifinals for the first time

    The Farm Fresh Foxies made history on Tuesday, April 7, as they punched their ticket to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) for the very first time, following a dominant 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 victory over the Nxled Chameleons at the FilOil Centre. The landmark win marks a defining moment for the Foxies, a team that has steadily grown in competitiveness under the guidance of its new leadership.

     

    It was a balanced and disciplined effort from Farm Fresh, with Trisha Tubu leading the scoring charge with 12 points. She received ample support from Ces Molina, who contributed 10 points, while Ara Galang added nine. Complementing the attack were Riri Meneses and Royse Tubino, who chipped in seven and five points, respectively. The collective output underscored the Foxies’ cohesion and adaptability on the court, traits that have become more evident under the guidance of head coach Koji Tsuzurabara.

     

    Tsuzurabara, a Japanese tactician with a proven pedigree, previously led the Petro Gazz Angels to the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference championship. During his tenure with Petro Gazz, he successfully managed high-caliber players, including Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, Myla Pablo, Jules Tolentino, Bang Pineda, Djanel Cheng, and Ranya Musa, among others. Interestingly, many of the core players for Nxled were former Petro Gazz members, who were recruited by the Chameleons after the Angels disbanded.

     

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    Despite his familiarity with both squads, Tsuzurabara remained humble in the post-match press conference and refrained from commenting on whether it gave his team a competitive edge. Instead, he focused on instilling a winning mindset and guiding Farm Fresh toward sustained success.

    “No comment. My coaching started in January. Always, I said to the players, change your mind, change your heart. Little bit, step by step, they have changed their mind. Good game,” Tsuzurabara said.

     

    He further emphasized the Foxies’ status as underdogs and their drive to make a historic breakthrough.

     

    “But we do our best, just best game. Because we are challenger. We are challenger. Other teams, example, Creamline, PLDT, other teams, always A-rank. Farm Fresh before A-B, C-rank team. We are a challenger. That’s it. I want to make, we must make a new history of Farm Fresh,” he added.

    Tubu, the night’s standout performer, echoed the coach’s philosophy, noting that Tsuzurabara has helped unlock new potential within the squad.

     

    “It’s true we’re considered challengers and it’s a challenge for us. How long are we going to stay challengers? Each of us approaches every game knowing we have to work hard for every point. Like coach says, don’t think about winning—focus on how you win each point. And he always reminds us that our real opponent isn’t the team on the other side, but ourselves. If you beat yourself, you win the game,” Tubu said.

     

    With the historic victory, Farm Fresh now prepares to face the formidable Cignal Super Spikers in the first semifinal matchup on Saturday, April 11, at the Mall of Asia Arena. The second semifinal will feature the perennial powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers against the PLDT High Speed Hitters later that day.

     

    Farm Fresh’s remarkable run this season highlights the team’s evolution under Tsuzurabara, with players demonstrating resilience, tactical discipline, and a relentless work ethic. As the Foxies aim to continue their historic journey in the PVL semifinals, their combination of emerging talent and strategic coaching promises to make them a team to watch in Philippine volleyball.

     

     

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  • “He knows what we struggle at”: Brooke Van Sickle on facing former coach Koji Tsuzurabara in Nxled’s win

    “He knows what we struggle at”: Brooke Van Sickle on facing former coach Koji Tsuzurabara in Nxled’s win

    The Nxled Chameleons leaned on poise, experience, and late-game execution from their star players to survive a gritty five-set battle against the Farm Fresh Foxies, pulling off a 25-23, 13-25, 21-25, 25-15, 15-12 victory in their opening match of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, February 3, at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan.

     

    In a match marked by momentum swings and extended rallies, Nxled showed composure when it mattered most—particularly in the deciding fifth set—snapping Farm Fresh’s resistance and securing a confidence-boosting win to open their campaign.

     

    Reigning PVL Most Valuable Player Brooke Van Sickle led the way in her highly anticipated debut for the Chameleons, delivering an all-around performance with 20 points. Fellow debutant Myla Pablo provided timely scoring and defensive stability, finishing with 19 points and six digs to earn Player of the Game honors, while MJ Phillips chipped in 13 points.

     

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    The trio of former Petro Gazz Angels standouts immediately justified their superstar billing, showcasing chemistry and composure despite limited time together. Their collective experience proved crucial, especially after Nxled dropped the second and third sets and found themselves on the brink of an opening-day loss.

     

    However, the Foxies—under the guidance of Japanese head coach Koji Tsuzurabara—were anything but pushovers.

     

    Tsuzurabara, who previously steered Petro Gazz to the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference title, is well-acquainted with Van Sickle, Pablo, and Phillips, having coached them during their championship run. That familiarity showed, as Farm Fresh employed disciplined defense and tactical adjustments that frustrated Nxled for long stretches of the match.

    “I didn’t get to talk to them much, but they looked good. As always coach Koji Tsuzurabara knows us, so he knows what we struggle at and what we are good at, so I already knew it was gonna definitely be hard offensive to score, just because he knows the players and he’s been around the game for a long time,” Van Sickle said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    “I feel like he did a really good job developing Farm Fresh and their defense. I thought they had a lot of good plays, soaked up the ball and playing a lot, making good decisions,” he added.

     

    Farm Fresh’s defensive tenacity forced Nxled into longer rallies and tougher shot selections, particularly during the middle sets where the Foxies seized control and threatened to pull away. Still, Nxled responded with renewed urgency in the fourth set, dominating at the net and rediscovering their offensive rhythm to force a decider.

     

    Van Sickle emphasized the importance of patience and mental toughness in grinding out the win.

     

    “I definitely think that it was a long-rally game. We had to be patient and stay calm on the other side of the court. I’m glad we were able to pull this off and get underway,” Van Sickle concluded.

     

    The victory gives Nxled an early boost as they integrate new pieces and establish identity heading into the long conference. For Farm Fresh, despite the loss, the performance offered encouraging signs under Tsuzurabara’s system, particularly on the defensive end.

     

    With the Chameleons off to a winning start, Van Sickle and company will look to build momentum when they face the Capital1 Solar Spikers next on Saturday, February 7, at the Ynares Center in Montalban, as Nxled continues its push to establish itself as an early contender in the All-Filipino Conference.

     

     

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