BY ABBY TORALBA
IVY Lacsina shone in her new role as an outside hitter and F2 Logistics used its experience to beat debuting newcomer Farm Fresh 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 yesterday in the opener of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at The Arena in San Juan.
Formerly a middle spiker, Lacsina had 12 attack points, including a set-clinching kill in the opening set, while veteran middle blocker Aby Maraño and Kim Dy added 10 and nine points, respectively, to lead the Cargo Movers to victory in Group B play.
Setter Marionne Alba, playing in her first PVL game after her championship stint with De La Salle University in the UAAP, also contributed 14 excellent sets and five points.
“We’re happy na panalo kami but we still have to learn more. We have to make better connections with each other lalo na nga at bago si Marionne sa loob ng court, marami pa siyang adjustments,” said coach Regine Diego.
“I’m overwhelmed and so happy to win my first game (in the pros),” said Alba, who took over the role normally reserved for veteran and multi-titled setter Kim Fajardo. “Nakaka-boost talaga ng confidence.”
“It wasn’t easy (switching from the middle to an open spiker) but I kept on going. With the help of my coaches and teammates, I have learned to embrace my new position,” said Lacsina.
Diego had the luxury of shuffling and mixing her veterans with her prized rookies during the encounter that ushered in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
The win was not easy, particularly in the third set as the Foxies, behind Jhasmin Pascual and Zamantha Nolasco, fought back and forced the Cargo Movers to four deadlocks, the last at 23.
Maraño shattered the count with a hit after the Foxies foiled Jolina dela Cruz’s attempt before the latter, one of F2 Logistics’ three rookies, blasted in an ace to an unguarded spot in the middle of Farm Fresh’s defense.
Gayle Pascual, the NCAA Finals MVP for College of Saint Benilde, led the Foxies with 10 points while Wielyn Estoque and Kate Santiago added eight and seven points each.
Trisha Tubu, who bid farewell to Adamson University together with Santiago, scored three points in her PVL debut.
Next up for F2 Logistics this Saturday is Cignal HD while Farm Fresh hopes to bounce back tomorrow against Choco Mucho.
