PVL: Ivy Lacsina, Nxled fend off Farm Fresh in five-set thriller

Nxled Chameleon’s Ivy Lacsina against Farm Fresh Foxies defenders in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Nxled shrugged off a slow start to prevail against Farm Fresh, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.

Ivy Lacsina continued to lead the Chameleons with 21 points, 18 coming from attacks, even as Nxled’s semifinal hopes grew dimmer with a 3-5 standing, tied with sister team Akari.

Even after eliminating the Foxies with the five-set victory, Nxled can be out of the semifinal equation if PLDT wins over the Strong Group, which is battling for the second game of the day as of posting.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024 

“Sobrang proud [with the performance of the team],” Lycha Ebon said. “Personally, nung third set nawala ako, hindi ako nakapag adjust agad and nung kinausap ako ni coach na kailangan sundin yung sinasabi niya … nakita ko na sobrang effective.

FINAL: Nxled survives Farm Fresh, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LCWkeqvm52

— Thirdy Dukha (@ThirdyINQ) April 9, 2024

“Sobrang proud din ako kasi nakita ko lahat kami gusto manalo.”

Ebon helped Lacsina with 17 points as Cams Victoria and Chiara Permentilla finished with 16 points each. Permentilla added eight excellent digs and 16 excellent receptions to her best outing this conference.

“I am very happy on how collectively as a team we played, on how we moved and made in-game adjustments,” said Permentilla, who was called by coach Taka Minowa “Farm Fresh killer”.

READ: PVL: Ivy Lacsina reveals tension with setters as part of Nxled adjustment

“It wasn’t only kasi maganda yung laro ko it was all the efforts ng team ko and we prepared well for this game so we’re very confident coming into this game,” she added.

Nxled trailed at the beginning of the final frame before Krich Macaslang, who finished with 11 points, stopped Arroyo’s attack and levelled the game at 8-all.

And it was all about the Chameleons from there on who didn’t allow the Foxies to regain the lead with Farm Fresh not helping its cause after committing several errors.

Chinnie Arroyo paced Farm Fresh with 19 points, Caitlin Viray had her best outing in her new team with 18 points, Kate Santiago finished with 11 points after only starting in the decider and Aprylle Tagsip had nine points.

The Foxies absorbed a fourth consecutive loss and dropped its sixth game in eight matches.

Nxled battles Creamline next on Saturday at PhilSports Arena.