Lacsina keys Akari surge

Ivy Lacsina has played the hero’s role in salvaging Akari’s gloomy campaign in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

A winless start pushed the Chargers down the cellar after three starts, but the towering winger refused to let her team go on a freefall and delivered a pair 20-point performances to fuel Akari’s surge.

Reliable on both ends of the floor, Lacsina anchored the Chargers’ back-to-back wins, and her efforts earned her a unanimous nod for the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live honor for the period of 24 to 28 February.

Lacsina opened her romp by unleashing a 20-point, 10-reception double-double in a 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 victory over sister team Nxled Chameleons last Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

All her 20 points came off attacks as she imposed her will offensively while providing a steady backcourt support to seal Akari’s breakthrough win of the conference.

The former National University star unleashed another 20-point explosion built on 16 kills, three blocks, and an ace on top of 11 excellent receptions to tow the Chargers past Cignal in a gripping five-set thriller, 25-23, 20-25, 11-25, 25-23, 15-12, on Saturday.

“We just trusted each other and put on a team effort. I don’t want the hard work put on by my teammates and coaches to go to waste. So, there’s no reason not to fight,” Lacsina said.

The 6-foot-1 spiker from San Fernando, Pampanga edged a competitive field led by Cignal’s Erika Santos, Choco Mucho pair Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina, PLDT’s Savi Davison, and Capital1’s Bella Belen and Sydney Niegos for the weekly honor given by print and online reporters covering the pioneering professional volleyball league organized by Sports Vision.

Despite her steady explosions, Lacsina remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of shared leadership alongside veteran winger Grethcel Soltones.

“My mindset is not just about being a senior in the team but as a leader as well,” the 26-year-old Lacsina said.

“We’re over the era where we only rely mostly on Ate Grethcel. All of us want to step up. And of course, the result of the game is a morale-boost for us.”

Lacsina and the Chargers look to ride the momentum of their recent success when they face the Belen-bannered Capital1 on Saturday at the same San Juan venue.