Ivy Lacsina is eager to show the way for the Nxled Chameleons in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In a sudden turn of events, Ivy Lacsina made her much-anticipated debut for the Nxled Chameleons on Thursday night.
Nxled endured a 12-25 opening-set beatdown from the fancied Choco Mucho Flying Titans in their 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference campaign opener.
Lacsina, who is still hampered by a right knee sprain, could not resist the urge to fight alongside her beleaguered teammates. She entered the fray at the onset of the second frame.
"Siguro ang naging mindset ko talaga is kailangan kong mag-step up para sa team. Kasi siyempre lahat kami bata so kailangan talaga may maging leader sa team," the former F2 Logistics Cargo Mover bared.
With Lacsina's presence on the court, the Chameleons played with renewed vigor, keeping in step with the Flying Titans.
Lacsina was able to show that resolve in this sequence during the third frame. Despite being blocked multiple times by Kat Tolentino and Cherry Nunag, Ibyang capitalized on a position miscue with former teammate Mars Alba to score on a tip-in.
However, Sisi Rondina and Co. proved too much down the stretch as Choco Mucho wrapped the bout in three sets, 25-12, 25-22, 25-18. Errors also turned out to be costly for the Chameleons, committing five service errors in the second frame alone.
Despite the stinging defeat and absorbing multiple deflections, Lacsina stuck to the positives. She did get six points.
"Siguro maganda na rin na first game namin pa lang itong Choco. Kasi 'yung Choco alam niyo naman na nasa finals sila last conference and malalakas talaga sila. Kahit 'yung bench nila malakas," she shared.
"Siguro mas nakilala namin 'yung team namin ngayon, kung ano pa 'yung mga kailangan naming i-improve, kung ano pa 'yung kailangan naming trabahuhin pagdating sa training."
The experience also provided Lacsina insight about the on-court tendencies of her teammates.
"Siguro mas nakilala ko sila sa first game namin ngayon. Mas nalaman ko kung paano ako maga-adapt sa kanila," she said.
Aside from adjusting to her new team, the 24-year-old winger is also working her right knee back to peak condition.
"Okay naman siya, syempre sinabi ko rin naman doon sa interview na depende sa progress ng tuhod ko pero medyo alalay pa rin," Lacsina revealed.
"Kahit papaano, getting there naman na. Pero syempre marami pa ring kulang and marami pa akong kailangan trabahuhin especially mawala yung ilang ko pagdating sa court."
Lacsina is well aware that every game matters for Nxled's bid for the top six, so much so that she's willing to contribute in whatever way possible despite her physical condition.
"Sabi ko kay coach kanina kung kailangan ako, kaya kong mag-risk," the NU product said.
'Kaya parang sabi ko na kung hindi ‘man ako makaatake ngayon, kasi medyo off 'yung atake ko the past few trainings, so sa defense, sa pasa ako babawi."
Lacsina and the Chameleons will plunge back into action on February 27, Tuesday, when they collide with the PLDT High Speed Hitters at the PhilSports Arena.
The 4 p.m. game will air on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.