Ivy Lacsina delivered when Akari needed it most, powering the Chargers out of a mid-conference lull to claim unanimous Premier Volleyball League Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the Feb. 24 to 28 period of the All-Filipino Conference.
The 6-foot-1 opposite hitter anchored Akari’s resurgence with back-to-back standout performances. She poured in 20 points and hauled in 10 excellent receptions as the Akari Chargers swept past sister team Nxled Chameleons, 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan City.
Lacsina followed that up with another 20-point outing against the Cignal Super Spikers, mixing 16 attacks with three blocks and an ace, while adding 11 excellent receptions in a gritty five-set escape, 25-23, 20-25, 11-25, 25-23, 15-12.
“I just stick to my teammates more and it’s really a team effort,” said Ivy Lacsina, 26. “I don’t want to waste the effort my teammates and coaches are putting in, so there’s no reason not to fight.”
Her consistency and all-around impact set her apart in a competitive field that included Cignal’s Erika Santos, Choco Mucho standouts Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina, PLDT’s Savi Davison, and Capital1 stars Bella Belen and Sydney Niegos, as voted by print and online reporters covering the league organized by Sports Vision.
Despite her scoring explosions, Lacsina stressed that Akari’s momentum is rooted in shared leadership, particularly alongside veteran wing spiker Grethcel Soltones.
“My mindset isn’t just being an elder sister, but being a leader,” said the San Fernando, Pampanga native. “We’re past the time when Grethcel was the only one leading. We all want to step up, and winning gives us that confidence.”
The Chargers now get a full week to fine-tune preparations before facing the Capital1 Solar Spikers on March 7 at the same venue, with the match available live and on demand via Pilipinas Live and the league’s official website.