PVL: Kamille Cal can’t wait for reunion with Ivy Lacsina

FILE – Nxled young setter Kamille Cal. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Nxled young setter Kamille Cal can’t wait to set the place for Ivy Lacsina inside the court when the former National University teammates reunite and lead the Chameleons in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season in February.

The Chameleons on Wednesday shared a video of Cal, who is excited to team up again with Lacsina for the first time since the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament in 2022.

The young playmaker, who made her PVL rookie debut in the second All-Filipino Conference last year, admitted that she helped Nxled recruit her best friend Lacsina after F2 Logistics disbanded.

“Somehow yes [our friendship contributed to her decision],” said Cal, who was part of the Lady Bulldogs’ perfect UAAP title run two years ago.

“I’m so excited and happy because we’re really best friends. It’s just funny because we ended up playing together again,” she went on in Filipino.

The setter, who played for NU in Season 84 but transferred to the University of the Philippines the following year before turning pro, said Lacsina really wanted to play under coach Taka Minowa, knowing his discipline and culture.

“More than [our friendship], I know that she’s looking forward to coach Taka’s coaching,” she said.

Minowa was promising in his first PVL tournament as the newly-formed Nxled finished ninth out of 12 teams with a 4-7 record.

The 6-foot-1 Lacsina, who played as a middle blocker for the Lady Bulldogs, thrived as a spiker during Kianna Dy’s absence in the second All-Filipino Conference, emerging as the leading F2 scorer and No.8 in the league with 142 points built on 115 kills, 22 blocks, and five aces. She was also the No.4 best blocker with 0.54 kill blocks per set.

After two years, Lacsina and Cal will team up again. The playmaker admitted a lot has changed since they last played but she believes their friendship will help them reconnect inside the court again.

“Honestly, I don’t know what might happen. But since we’re best friends, we can work out our connection,” Cal said.

Cal encouraged Lacsina to prepare her spiking as she promised to set the plays for her when she returns from vacation next week to practice with Nxled for the first time.