Finding another athletic 6-foot-5 scoring machine like Jaja Santiago will be near-impossible for the National University Lady Bulldogs.
They do, however, have a budding 6-foot scoring wunderkind in rookie Ivy Lacsina.
NU are leaning on Lacsina as one of their building blocks as they try to navigate the post-Santiago era.
Both athletes are taking similar paths in their UAAP career, having started as middle blockers before sliding over to fill a wing position. The difference is Lacsina is being converted at a much earlier stage of her collegiate career, since Santiago started playing the wing position around her third year.
And Lacsina – who has spent her first two games as a starting open hitter – has been brilliant. She debuted with a 14-point outing against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, before leading the Lady Bulldogs to a win against the UE Lady Warriors with an 18-point performance.
While Lacsina’s conversion may stem from the team’s shortened lineup, her feel for the game and offensive production has stood out from most rookies.
Having won three championships as a member of the Nazareth School of National University, the Pampanga-native feels the pressure of finding success in the seniors’ division.
But she’s taken the time to talk to Santiago – now busy playing as an import in the Japanese V-Premiere League – and gain valuable advice from the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball MVP.
“Kahapon po nakausap ko si Ate Jaja. Sinabi niya lang sa akin na ‘yung pressure na nararamdaman ko at ng team, i-take lang namin as a challenge, kasi nakikita niya na bawat member ng team kaya maging leader,” said Lacsina.
“Malaking tulong po kasi siya tapos na dito. ‘Yung mga napagdaanan niya, shine-share niya sa akin. Kung ano po ‘yung pwedeng mangyari, ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi niya sa akin.”
With 12 games remaining on their schedule, the Lady Bulldogs have a tumultuous road ahead, made rockier by the injury to setter Joyme Cagande.
But Lacsina and the Lady Bulldogs simply want to stay ready to be hit with the UAAP’s best.
“Lagi naman po sinasabi sa amin ng coaches namin na kailangan maging ready kami sa mga struggles na haharapin namin, kaya po nahihirapan pa kami sa una. Dahil din sa tulong ng mga coaches kaya napadali po.”
