Ivy Lacsina and the Akari Chargers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Akari brandished its new look in the PVL Reinforced Conference by shutting down its Pool B opening match against Capital1, 25-18, 27-25, 22-25, 25-14, on Thursday at PhilSports Arena.
Moving to her third team in two years, Ivy Lacsina, formerly of the disbanded F2 Logistics and Nxled, led the Chargers with 20 points, all from attacks while American import Oluoma Okaro added 16 points.
“We’re still trying to build our connection with each other. It’s easier because our teammates are easy to talk to,” Lacsina said.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
“Coach Taka [Minowa] assigned me to be the captain. So even if I make errors, I can’t show my teammates that I’m frustrated or have low morale. My mindset is that I need to lead the team,” she added.
The Chargers had a busy offseason with major personnel changes, acquiring Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal and Cams Victoria from sister team Nxled who got Trisha Genesis, Bang Pineda, Jaja Maraguinot in return.
And it seemed to be working well for the revamped team joining Petro Gazz in the win column after the Angels delivered a 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 rout of ZUS Coffee in the first game of the day.
Akari Chargers’ import Oly Okaro in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
“The first game was … definitely exciting, something new. I have never played in front of a crowd like this where the crowd is very enthusiastic and energetic, very live. So it was definitely nice since it’s the first game,” Okaro said.
“It started a little bit slow I would say, like coach Taka [Minowa] mentioned before. We’re still trying to find that connection, me and the setter … So there’s still a lot of things to work on, a lot of things to improve, so I’m really excited that we won this match but I’m also really excited to work on things and find that connection with the setter,” she added.
EAD: PVL: Joining familiar names makes it easy for Ivy Lacsina at Akari
Akari did not have Fifi Sharma with the middle blocker still in the thick of Alas Pilipinas duties that had more playing time for Ced Domingo and Victoria who had eight and seven points, respectively.
The Chargers showed their net defense with Okaro, Victoria, Cal and Domingo proving vital down the stretch.
Akari coach Taka Minowa, Oly Okaro, and Ivy Lacsina after beating Capital1. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/iZE2kYqSD0
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 18, 2024
Cal shut down an attack by Solar Spikers import Marina Tushova, who had 20 points, with another block by Domingo pushing the Chargers’ lead to 18-10.
“The system Coach Taka brought to Akari is the same. The only adjustments I had to make were with my teammates,” Lacsina said.
“We have veterans here, so building connections is really important. It became easier because Cams, Dani, and Kamuy (Cal), who I’ve played with before, helped me,” she added, as Akari hopes to repeat its performance in its next game against Choco Mucho on Tuesday.
“I just want to bring a level of leadership from the experience that I have and also just the passion to the game because I’m a very passionate player and I’m very determined,” Okaro said.
“I’m also very competitive so I also want obviously the goal first is to take the team to the top four so we can be in the semifinals and just go from there. The plan is to take it one day at a time, one game at a time, and just keep seeing what we can work on after each game,” she added.