Ivy Lacsina heaped praises on PLDT after their ‘toughest five-setter match’ so far in their still-unbeaten run in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Akari needed to scratch and claw to surpass PLDT, 25-22, 18-25, 22-25, 26-24, 17-15, and advance to its first-ever Finals appearance in the PVL on Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The match was marred by a confusing endgame caused by a mid-rally net fault challenge by the High Speed Hitters that was deemed unsuccessful, tying the match at 14 in the fifth set.
The Chargers completed the comeback with Grethcel Soltones going back-to-back, followed by Lena Samoilenko’s attack error.
After the two-hour, 59-minute marathon battle, Lacsina was all praise for the challenge presented by PLDT.
(C) PVL Images
“Sa lahat ng five sets [matches] po na nilaro namin, ito ‘yung pinaka-mahirap pero memorable sa’min kasi alam namin talaga na ‘yung PLDT, sobrang strong team and veterans talaga,” said the 6-foot open spiker.
“At the same time, kinaya namin dahil din sa tulong ng coaches and teamwork namin. ‘Yung kapit din namin nila Ate Greta sa isa’t isa, tinginan talaga kami kaya siguro ‘yun talaga ‘yung nakapag-panalo sa’min,” she added.
This was Akari’s fourth match that went the distance out of 10 total games, They also went five sets against Choco Mucho, Petro Gazz, and Galeries.
Oly Okaro came up huge with 39 points, while Lacsina provided support with 19 points. Soltones also contributed well with 16 points.
For Lacsina, their constant communication paved the way for the Chargers’ finals berth and their still-undefeated record – now at 10-0 this conference.
“Super excited po kami and super happy na nakarating po kami rito sa dami ng teams na sobrang lalakas din po nila. At the same time, lagi rin naming iniisip na kailangang i-enjoy din po namin every game. Talagang lagi po kaming nagtutulungan,” said the 24-year-old National University product.
“Kunyari may kailangan po kaming ayusin pa talaga sa team, kinakausap po namin ‘yung isa’t isa. Kahit tapos na po ‘yung training at ‘yung game, tuluy-tuloy pa rin po ‘yung communication namin.”
