Ivy Lacsina Clinches Unanimous PVL Player of the Week Award for Stellar Performances
In a remarkable display of skill and leadership, Ivy Lacsina of the Akari Chargers has been unanimously selected as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Press Corps Player of the Week for the period spanning February 24 to 28. This prestigious honor recognizes her pivotal role in helping Akari break out of a recent slump during the All-Filipino Conference, marking a significant turnaround for the team.
Dominant Performances Lead to Key Victories
The 6-foot-1 standout delivered an impressive 20 points and 10 receptions in a hard-fought victory over sister team Nxled Chameleons, with scores of 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan City on February 24. Building on this momentum, Lacsina continued her explosive form on Saturday, contributing 20 points—comprising 16 attacks, three blocks, and an ace—alongside 11 excellent receptions. Her efforts were instrumental in leading the Chargers to a thrilling five-set win against the Cignal Super Spikers, with final scores of 25-23, 20-25, 11-25, 25-23, 15-12.
Team-First Mentality and Leadership
In a news release issued on Sunday, the 26-year-old from San Fernando, Pampanga, emphasized the collective effort behind her success. "I just stick to my teammates more and it's a team effort. It's like that, I don't want to waste the effort my teammates and coaches are putting in, so there's no reason not to fight," Lacsina stated. She also highlighted the importance of shared leadership, particularly with veteran winger Grethcel Soltones, noting that the team has moved beyond relying solely on one elder figure. "As for me, that's really my mindset, not just as an elder sister, but also as a leader. We're done with the era where Grethcel was our only elder sister. We all want to step up. And of course, the result of the game also boosts our confidence," she added.
Competition and Recognition
Lacsina's outstanding performances edged out strong contenders for the weekly award, including Cignal’s Erika Santos, Choco Mucho duo Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina, PLDT’s Savi Davison, and Capital1’s Bella Belen and Sydney Niegos. The award is presented by print and online reporters covering the pioneering professional volleyball league organized by Sports Vision, underscoring the significance of her achievement in the sport's media landscape.
Looking Ahead
With this accolade boosting team morale, the Chargers now have a week to prepare for their upcoming match against the Capital1 Solar Spikers on March 7 at the same venue. Fans can catch the action live and on demand via Pilipinas Live and the league’s official website, as Akari aims to build on their recent successes and continue their ascent in the PVL standings.
