FARM FRESH, ZUS COFFEE JOIN FORCES AS STRONG GROUP FOR FORMOSA INVITATIONAL
With a month to go before Strong Group Pilipinas defends its crown in the 45th William Jones Cup, another Strong Group-backed squad will carry the Philippine flag in Taiwan.
Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee will combine forces under the Strong Group Pilipinas banner for the Taichung Bank 2026 Formosa Women's Volleyball Invitational Tournament, scheduled from July 30 to August 2.
The tournament will serve as an early international test for both Premier Volleyball League clubs as they continue preparations for the upcoming 2026 PVL season against quality opposition from across Asia.
Leading the squad from Farm Fresh are reigning PVL Most Valuable Player Trisha Tubu, Roselyn Doria-Aquino, Maicah Larroza, Ces Molina, Louie Romero, and Jonna Perdido.
Joining them from ZUS Coffee are Chinnie Arroyo, AC Miner, Clo Mondoñedo, Riza Nogales, Alyssa Eroa, and Zamantha Nolasco.
Strong Group Pilipinas will be coached by Koji Tsuzurabara, who also serves as Farm Fresh's head coach.
He believes the tournament will provide invaluable experience ahead of the new PVL campaign.
"This tournament gives us exactly the challenge we're looking for before the PVL season. We'll be facing quality teams from different countries with different playing styles, and that's an opportunity for both Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee to grow," said Tsuzurabara.
"The level of competition will push our players to improve, build chemistry, and gain the experience that will benefit them once the PVL season begins."
The Philippine side is set to face clubs and national selection teams from Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Hong Kong, making it one of the strongest preseason tournaments on the regional calendar.
Tsuzurabara will be assisted by ZUS Coffee head coach Jerry Yee, along with Kungfu Reyes and Shaq Delos Santos.
For Yee, the tournament is not only about preparing for the domestic season but also about proudly representing the country on the international stage.
"It's an honor for our players and coaching staff to wear the Strong Group colors and represent the Philippines. We hope to make our country proud with the way we compete," said Yee.
"At the same time, bringing together players from Farm Fresh and ZUS Coffee is a great opportunity to build relationships, learn from one another, and create a strong team culture that will benefit both clubs when we return to the PVL."
The Formosa Invitational marks the first international tournament for the combined Farm Fresh-ZUS Coffee squad, with Strong Group Pilipinas aiming to gain momentum before both clubs shift their focus to the upcoming PVL season.
