This isn’t the first time that the coach and the player tried it.
The F2 Logistics Cargo Movers secured the third slot in the semifinals of the PVL All-Filipino Conference after they defeated the Army-Black Mamba Energy Drink Lady Troopers in four sets on Saturday. And one of the reasons behind the Cargo Movers’ maiden semis appearance in the league is the stellar play of Ivy Lacsina.
Stepping in for Mya Pablo who cramped up badly during F Logistics' match against the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, Lacsina scored 9 points as an outside hitter. Not bad at all, especially for someone who’s used to playing middle blocker.
During the postgame presser, coach Regine Diego explained why she was pretty confident that the National University product would be able to handle her supposedly new assignment.
“This is not the first time na naging player ko siya [Lacsina]. When I was with here in NU, we actually used her as an outside hitter before. So, I know that she knows how to play the position,” Diego said.
From 2019 to 2020, the F2 drillmaster was one of the mentors of both the girls’ and women’s volleyball team of NU. It was there where she first knew of Lacsina’s capabilities.
The good coach that she is, Diego made sure to remind her player that there’s still plenty of room for improvement right after giving the former Lady Bulldog her flowers.
“Pero sa ngayon siyempre, kakabalik lang. So, she needs to remember pa more kung ano pa ‘yung mga responsibilites niya, “ the La Salle Lady Spikers legend said of Lacsina.
Well, F2 is now in the penultimate stage of the All-Filipino Conference. We’re pretty sure that while under Diego’s guidance, the team will try their best to make their first ever Final Four stint in the PVL a memorable one.
For that to happen, the F2 tactician plans to further work on Lacsina’s dual role.
“Ivy naman is doing great na sa attacking, blocking. We just have to adjust more on the receiving side and the digging side pero alam ko, alam na niya ‘yon,” Diego confidently stated.
“We have to train more. Mayroon pa naman kaming time mag-adjust and hopefully, lahat ng ma-practice namin, lahat ng hard work namin, mag-pay off sa semifinals,” she added.