IVY Lacsina harbors no regrets seeing her former team Nxled emerge as one of the most formidable squads in the PVL.
If anything, the moment felt sweeter after Lacsina and Akari handed the retooled, MVP-laden side a reality check with a 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22 victory on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old winger, who previously suited up for Nxled before moving to sister team Akari, has found a fresh start in the professional ranks following the disbandment of F2 Logistics in 2023.
READ: Akari shocks Nxled for first PVL All-Filipino Conference win
Rather than carry ill feelings toward her former club, Lacsina expressed pride in seeing Nxled’s growth, noting how both teams under the same corporate banner have steadily evolved over the past few conferences.
“Lalo na ngayong conference, ‘yung Nxled is hindi basta-basta na team. Malakas talaga sila,” said Lacsina.
“Ako, bilang du’n talaga ako nag-start, masarap sa feeling na makalaban sila kasi, alam mo ‘yun, siyempre ‘yung pride na dinadala mo, nandu’n.
Kung anuman ‘yung natutunan ko sa mga naging teammates ko du’n, siyempre, dinala ko dito sa Akari.”
Despite offseason talk suggesting Nxled could eclipse Akari as the company’s premier squad, Lacsina refused to buy into the narrative.
For her, the focus is not on rivalry but on collective growth, with both sister teams aiming to elevate their level of play and establish themselves as legitimate title contenders.
“Nag-iba na ‘yung approach ko ngayon, mas magiging malawak kasi for me, ‘yung pressure kasi, hindi magkakaroon ng pressure kung hindi mo siya iniisip,” she explained.
“Kung dumating man sa point na mailisip mo siya, parang kailangan ikaw mismo, ma-beat mo siya.”
Lacsina added that Akari’s success now stems from a shift in mindset, where enjoyment and trust in one another take precedence over the pressure to win.
“Ngayon, nakikita ko na sa team namin na mas nangunguna na ‘yung nage-enjoy kami. Iba ‘yung dating na team namin kapag nage-enjoy kami kaysa isipin pa namin na ‘kailangan namin manalo, kailangan namin manalo.’”
For Lacsina, embracing that balance has allowed her to thrive in her current home while continuing to grow alongside a team determined to rise in the league.
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