PVL: Ivy Lacsina’s big game not enough to get F2 Logistics through

F2 Logistics’ Ivy Lacsina.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ivy Lacsina’s career-best 26 points went for naught as the undermanned F2 Logistics fell to Akari in five sets to start their 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“For me, it’s not important if I score a lot or not. What mattered to me earlier was to help my team. We fell short but we will bounce back,” said Lacsina in Filipino after drilling 22 spikes, three blocks, and an ace in the 25-21. 20-25, 25-27, 25-19, 8-15 loss.

Lacsina, who played in different spiking positions with Kianna Dy and Jovelyn Fernandez sidelined with injuries, attributed her best game in the pros to her teammates.

“I scored those points with the help of my ates. Every timeout, they guide me and I really want to help them. I won’t be able to [play] in different positions without them,” she said.

The former National University stalwart responded to the challenge of coach Regine Diego to flaunt maturity with the team dealing with health issues including libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig’s shoulder injury.

Ivy Lacsina.–PVL PHOTO

“Coach Reg told us, young players. that we can’t stay as young. We have to step up. So as a senior among the young guns, I need to step up and help my ates, especially ate Aby (Maraño) and ate Kim (Fajardo) because ate Kianna and ate Dawn are not playing,” Lacsina said. “I really made sure that I will be stepping up today.”

The 23-year-old wing spiker admitted the team lacked communication which led to their tough loss to the Chargers, who leaned on their young core led by Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, and Trisha Genesis as well as veteran Dindin Santiago-Manabat.

“I think we lacked communication because there were times that we were surprised by their attacks. It was hard because we were undermanned and some of us are new to our team,” she said.

Lacsina also said they were frustrated after the loss but their management and Maraño urged them to stay strong and focus on bouncing back against Akari’s sister team Nxled on October 24 at Ynares Center Antipolo, 

“Of course, we’re sad but our bosses told us that the league is just getting started and we can’t have a low morale. We have to be more eager next game and we will look up to Ate Aby because she is strong,” she said. “We need to work on our communication and help each other.”