Ivy Lacsina has picked up right where she left off, spearheading the Akari Chargers to a blazing start in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Fresh from being a key figure in Akari’s historic finals run in the Reinforced Conference, the 25-year-old Lacsina has carried her stellar form into her fourth professional season. Her early performances have powered the Chargers to a 2-0 start in the six-month tournament organized by Sport Vision.
Lacsina opened the campaign in style, delivering 16 points to help Akari fend off Galeries Tower in a tightly contested match, securing a 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23 victory at the Philsports Arena last week.
She followed it up with a dominant 24-point outing against the revamped ZUS Coffee squad, converting 22 of her 43 attack attempts, alongside a block and an ace. Her efforts led Akari to a 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23 win at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, solidifying their early lead.
For her outstanding performances, Lacsina earned the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week honors, presented by Pilipinas Live, for the period of November 9 to 16. It was a fitting recognition for the 6-foot-1 wing spiker, who has embraced her expanded role for Akari this season.
“‘Yung last conference po maganda pong experience po yun sa amin. At the same time po, yung tinatrabaho po namin kung papaano pa po kami magiging better kumpara sa last conference po para habang tuloy-tuloy po yung panalo po namin, natututo pa rin po kami,” said Lacsina.
Lacsina is determined to continue the momentum built by super import Oly Okaro, who led Akari to a 10-game winning streak in the previous conference before falling short against the Grand Slam-winning Creamline Cool Smashers in the finals.
(C) PVL Images
“Dahil wala na nga pong Oly, so mas eager ang every local player sa team namin na mag-step up kasi wala na kaming ibang aasahan kundi hindi yung isa’t isa nalang,” she shared.
“Every training, every game talaga, talagang tinatrabaho namin. Yung pasensya talaga mas hinabaan po namin ngayong conference.”
Lacsina edged out notable performers like Kat Tolentino of Choco Mucho, Jema Galanza of Creamline, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Savi Davison of PLDT, Ara Galang of Chery Tiggo, Ces Molina of Cignal, and her own teammate Eli Soyud to claim the weekly accolade. The recognition was deliberated by print and online journalists covering the league, which is streamed live via the Pilipinas Live app and at www.pvl.ph.
Under the mentorship of Akari’s Japanese coach, Taka Minowa, Lacsina has been evolving into a lethal attacker. This development aligns with her aspirations of playing overseas and representing the country with the national team, Alas Pilipinas.
With greater responsibilities this season, the pride of San Fernando, Pampanga, is ready to rise to the occasion and lead Akari to more victories.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip kung paano ako nag-start and kung ano ‘yung hirap na pinagdaanan ko sa sistema po ni coach Taka and sa training. Kaya parang tinatake ko po siya as motivation and challenge para every training talaga namin and game mas nakakahelp ako sa team namin,” Lacsina explained.
“Hindi ko siya masyadong iniisip na pressure siya sakin. Kumbaga, ine-enjoy ko lang kasi yung tiwala ng coaches ayokong masira.”
Lacsina and the Chargers will face a formidable challenge next Saturday when they take on the five-peat-seeking Creamline Cool Smashers at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. The showdown, set for 6:30 p.m., follows the Petro Gazz-Farm Fresh PVL on Tour game.
