Ivy Lacsina’s transformation from middle blocker to open hitter is going smoothly, it appears.
The 24-year-old Akari Charger proved as much in the opening of the PVL All-Filipino Conference, as she led the team to a pair of wins. Lacsina was fittingly rewarded by the scribes covering the PVL, who hailed her as the new season’s first Player of the Week as the Chargers find themselves with the early lead in the standings.
Lacsina opened the PVL All-Filipino Conference with a 16-point outing to help Akari edge out the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 28-30, 25-15, 25-16, 25-23, in last week’s season opener at the Philsports Arena.
She followed it up with a sterling 24-point game in the Chargers’ 25-14, 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, victory versus the Zus Coffee Thunderbelles on Thursday to gain the early lead. The National University Product went 22-for-43 in her attack attempts and added a block and an ace.
From Middle Blocker to Spiker: Lacsina Showing Out in New Position
Impressively, Lacsina is playing superbly as a spiker as opposed to middle blocker, which had been her position for the longest time. However, Chargers coach Taka Minowa moved the former Choco Mucho Flying Titan to open hitter and has been grooming her ever since so she can fulfill her dream to represent the country by way of Alas Pilipinas and to eventually play overseas.
“Lagi ko lang iniisip kung papano ako nag-start and kung ano ‘yung hirap na pinagdaanan ko sa sistema po ni coach Taka and sa training kaya parang tine-take ko po siya as motivation and challenge para every training talaga namin and game mas nakaka-help ako sa team namin,” said the pride of San Fernando Pampanga. “Hindi ko siya masyadong iniisip na pressure siya sakin. Kumbaga, ine-enjoy ko lang kasi ‘yung tiwala ng coaches ayokong masira.”
Lacsina edged out Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino, Creamline Cool Smasher Jema Galanza, Petro Gazz Angel Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, PLDT High Speed Hitter Savi Davison, Chery Tiggo Crossover Ara Galang of Chery Tiggo, and Cignal HD Spiker Ces Molina for the award.
