Newly recruited Nxled star Ivy Lacsina dreams of someday hitting it big on the international stage just like her idol Japan-based Jaja Santiago.
Lacsina with her 6-foot-2 frame makes her a formidable figure in the middle spot, towering over local opposition.
But Lacsina would have to focus on playing at the wing position to get the attention of scouts that could be her ticket to playing abroad.
Fortunately, the National University product picked the right club that could help her achieve her goal as Chameleons head coach Taka Minowa plans for her to play as a winger in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League.
Minowa, husband of Santiago who plays for JT Marvelous in the Japan V.League, will be fielding the versatile Lacsina as an open hitter when the season-opening PVL All-Filipino Conference hostilities erupt on 20 February.
“I just talked to her about what she wants in the future. She wants to play abroad and for the national team,” Minowa said of Nxled’s prized acquisition from the disbanded F2 Logistics during the offseason.
“In the Philippines, you have a lot of tall middle blockers. It is better for her to be an outside hitter because in the Philippines the outside hitters are small so if she can be a good outside hitter, and a good passer, (she’ll be) more effective for the national team and PVL,” Minowa, who also serves as director of volleyball operations for both Akari and Nxled franchises owned by businessman Christopher Tiu.
Sliding from middle to wing is nothing new to Lacsina.
In fact, from playing middle in leading NU to a flawless conquest of the University Athletic Association of the Philippine Season 84 two years ago, the 24-year-old Angeles, Pampanga native had been playing dual roles when she joined the Cargo Movers last season.
Lacsina mostly saw action in her last tournament in the opposite spiker position but also had stints in the middle and open spots.
“I guess I am used to playing different positions. Wherever they put me, middle or wing, as long as I could help the team,” she said.
Lacsina believes she could learn a lot from Minowa, who served as an assistant coach in Santiago’s first Japanese club Saitama Ageo Medics.
It was Minowa who helped 6-foot-5 Santiago hone her skills playing winger from her usual role as middle while still playing in the Philippines for her local club and national squad.
“I’m putting my faith (in the system) and just trusting the process. I’m a little impatient with myself, I’m not satisfied with what I’m doing. He (Minowa) told me when we talked on the phone not to put too much pressure on myself and just go through the process,” Lacsina said.
Minowa, on the other hand, thinks Lacsina is a diamond in the rough, needing some more polishing.
He sees much potential in her to become a valuable asset not just for the Chameleons but also for the national team and possibly for interested clubs abroad. Her reception and passing make her an important all-around player.
“Compared to Jaja, like ball touch and pass, Ivy is better than Jaja (in those facets of the game). Hitting and blocking for sure Jaja is better but ball touching, Ivy is better,” he said.
Lacsina, who averaged 12.9 points per game with 0.54 kill blocks per frame, is expected to boost the expansion team’s firepower in its second conference in the league.
