High-scoring Ivy Lacsina found herself tightly-guarded during Akari’s lackluster semifinal performance in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Ranked as the sixth-best scorer after the four-month preliminary round with 156 total points from 11 games, Lacsina was virtually neutralized in the semifinals.
The Chargers felt her absence as they struggled, posting a 1-2 record in the round-robin semis and ultimately missing out on a Finals berth.
In all three games, including Akari’s dramatic five-set win over Choco Mucho — its sole victory — Lacsina was limited to just eight points per match.
Determined to bounce back, Lacsina cleared her mind of past frustrations, and it paid off.
The 6-foot-1 outside hitter found her rhythm in Game 1 of the battle for the bronze against Choco Mucho on Tuesday, delivering 20 points — 18 of which were from spikes, along with nine digs.
More importantly, the Chargers took control, pulling off a 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11 reverse sweep to move within one win of a podium finish at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Hindi ko po gaano inisip yung laro today. Yung binago ko po sa mindset kapag nandoon ako sa court doon ko lang iisipin para fresh mind po ako,” shared Lacsina.
“The past few games parang masyado kong prinessure yung sarili ko and masyado ko iniintindi yung laro so ngayon po fresh mind lang ako pumasok sa court.”
(C) PVL Images
This was just what Lacsina needed to rediscover her high-scoring form at the perfect moment, with Akari now just a win away from its first-ever medal in the All-Filipino Conference.
The Chargers’ only medal so far came during the 2024 Reinforced Conference, where they lost to the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Finals and settled for silver.
Frustration had no place for Akari in this match, as having a “fresh mind” helped them turn the game around after dropping the first two sets.
Undeterred, the Chargers fought back with strong contributions from Eli Soyud and Grethcel Soltones, eventually taking control after two hours and 25 minutes of play.
“Actually, kanina po nung down po kami ng first two sets, hindi naman po kami ganon ka-frustrated. Like nasa mindset namin na no room for frustration today. So kailangan namin i-switch yung mindset namin na magtulungan at magtiwala sa isa’t isa,” said Lacsina.
Akari will look to close out the series on Thursday at 4:00 PM at the Big Dome, while Choco Mucho aims to extend the battle.
#WATCH: Taka Minowa beams with pride as Akari, led by Ivy Lacsina and Justine Jazareno, pulled off a gritty reverse sweep against Choco Mucho 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/Rr0Bki2ULq
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 8, 2025
