Apparently, coach Taka Minowa isn't pleased when Ivy Lacsina pushes herself with her injury for the Nxled Chameleons.
Ivy Lacsina delivered her best outing as an Nxled Chameleon to date on Tuesday night.
The 6-foot-1 stalwart showcased her two-way form with 17 points and 11 digs, as she buoyed the Chameleons over the Galeries Tower Highrisers for their breakthrough win in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Still, despite a strong showing, Lacsina revealed she's still dealing with pain as she continues to rehabilitate her right knee back to the pink of health.
"Hindi pa po siya totally 100%, pero tinutulungan po ako ng PTs, ng coaches para ma-lessen 'yung pain," she shared.
The former F2 Logistics Cargo Mover suffered a right knee sprain in practice during the off-season. She would then be sidelined in Nxled's bronze-medal campaign in the 2024 Akari Invitationals Cup.
Expected to return to action in March, Lacsina caught many by surprise as she made her
much-anticipated debut for the Chameleons in their season-opening loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans last February 22.
To no one’s surprise, the 24-year-old winger struggled. While the right knee setback hampered her performance, she was also adjusting to Nxled head coach Taka Minowa’s system.
Lacsina would then see action in their two consecutive, straight-set losses to the PLDT High Speed Hitters and the Cignal HD Spikers, seeing a steady rise in minutes and production.
Still, the NU product was far from satisfied, so
she focused on establishing a solid connection with setters Kam Cal and Maji Mangulabnan, which led to her double-double output in their fourth game.
Throughout Nxled’s rough start, Lacsina never felt any pressure to deliver for the team, with Minowa even insisting not to push herself too hard.
“Actually, wala pong binibigay na pressure sa akin. Sabi lang po nila sa 'kin is maglaro lang ako kung ano 'yung kaya ko and kung may masakit, 'wag kong ipilit…Kahit si Coach Taka nagagalit na po sa akin kapag pinipilit ko po,” she bared.
“Pero siyempre lahat naman 'to hindi ko po siya basta-basta magagawa kung ako lang pong mag-isa, eh. Kaya kailangan ko din po 'yung team ko and nagtutulungan po kami para makapag-adjust sa game at maging better po every game.”
As Lacsina steadily regains peak form, the Chameleons aim to continue turning their fortunes around when they face their sister team Akari Chargers on March 16, Saturday.