When the F2 Logistics team disbandment news broke, Ivy Lacsina admitted she was hesitant to look at her captain.
When the F2 Logistics management broke the news to the Cargo Movers that they would disband the professional volleyball team, Ivy Lacsina didn't want to look at team captain Aby Maraño.
It was a stark difference from Lacsina's move in October of last year, when the Cargo Movers lost in five sets to the Akari Chargers in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.
At the time, Lacsina delivered a then-career-high of 26 points, which went for naught.
She was specifically searching for Tyang after the game.
"Si Ate Aby po talaga 'yung super tinitignan ko kanina after the game. Sobrang strong niya talaga," Lacsina said after that match.
The middle blocker-turned opposite spiker had a lot of guidance from Aby Maraño, an MB herself.
But when the disbandment news broke out, Lacsina couldn't bring herself to look at her ate.
"'Di ko tinignan si Ate Aby," Lacsina admitted to One Sports' The Game on Thursday. "Kasi parang nanay ko siya, super ate ko siya. Nung day na 'yun, 'di ako tumingin sa kanya kasi ayokong umiyak muna."
"Pero nung tumingin siya sa 'kin, 'Ate Aby, ano naaa," she recounted. "Nag-iiyakan na kami."
"Akala ko dito na ko magre-retire eh."
Maraño made sure to give comforting words to her ward.
"'Dito lang ako, iga-guide pa rin kita kahit saan ka," Lacsina recounted her captain saying.
"One call away lang ako palagi para sa 'yo."
Funny enough, Lacsina did make a phone call--but to Tyang's partner, and Ivy's best friend Kamille Cal.
They also used to play together for the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs.
"Siya 'yung tumawag sa 'kin," the setter of the Nxled Chameleons confirmed.
"There's this day (na) sobrang busy sa office. Biglang nag-call si Ivy, sabi niya, 'Ano bang meron sa Nxled? Kamusta yung team, si coach Taka (Minowa) and all that?'" Cal recounted.
"Ay, parang wine-weigh na niya options niya," she observed. "I said, masaya naman kami. I think you're gonna enjoy it, especially yung system ni coach Taka."
That did turn out to be a factor.
"Gusto kong bumalik sa Japanese style namin katulad sa NU," Lacsina said, recalling her experience with coach Taka so far.
"Super guide siya sa 'kin, 'di niya ko tinigilan. Ganun din si coach Babes (Castillo) nung nasa NU ako. Kailangan kong mag-trust sa kanya, at dun kami mapupunta sa top."
Before the Cargo Movers left to tread their own path, Tyang Aby said they made a deal.
"Walang staredown ah!" She said.
Seeing Tyang on the opposite side of the court, it's sure to hit different for Ibyang.
Maybe she'll use that one phone call afterwards.