Ivy Lacsina will be turning professional as she struck a deal with F2 Logistics in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
In an announcement, the Cargo Movers welcomed the 6-foot-1 middle blocker for their much-anticipated comeback in the country’s professional women’s volleyball league that unwraps in October.
The 22-year-old Lacsina will be bringing her defensive spunk and court brilliance that she earned from leading National University to a historic sweep of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament.
Lacsina was the 14th Best Scorer in the Season 84 elimination round with a total of 130 points built on 98 spikes,19 blocks, and 13 aces.
She was also the seventh best server with 0.28 aces per set and ninth in blocking with 0.40 blocks per set as the Lady Bulldogs swept 14 games for an outright finals berth and took down La Salle for their first women’s volleyball title since 1957.
Although NU announced last month that she will return to play her final year in Season 85 together with Jen Nierva, Princess Robles, and Joyme Cagande, Lacsina took a different direction and decided to turn pro, instead.
NU coach Karl Dimaculangan admitted that Lacsina’s move caught him by surprise.
“We were surprised because she didn’t inform us right away since we’re still negotiating and we were still together while training for the AVC,” Dimaculangan said.
“We didn’t know that she already signed a pro contract.”
On the same note, setter Kamille Cal also decided to leave NU to transfer to University of the Philippines.
Nierva, Robles and Cagande were still part of the NU side that will see action in the fledgling Shakey’s Super League that opens on 22 September.
Dimaculangan said they will be leaning on Sheena Toring and Alexa Nichole Mata as well as the upcoming rookies who got a big break following Lacsina’s departure.
“We have rookie middle blockers and we are focusing on them,” he said.
“We also still have Sheena and Nichole so I think we’re still okay.”
All in all, Lacsina only played two full seasons with NU in the UAAP, including her rookie year in 2019 while her sophomore year was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.
She will join a Cargo Movers squad that is overflowing with talents.
Manning the middle position for the Ramil de Jesus-mentored squad are former Philippine Superliga Most Valuable Players Aby Maraño and Majoy Baron while Kim Fajardo remains as the setter, Ara Galang and Des Cheng as open spikers, Kianna Dy as opposite hitter and Dawn Macandili as libero.
