Akari Chargers’ Michelle Cobb in action during the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Akari’s longtime setter Michelle Cobb is thrilled to finally see her team prosper as the Chargers inch a win closer to a preliminary round sweep of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Stepping up for the injured young setter Kamille Cal, Cobb orchestrated the Chargers’ seventh straight win with 18 excellent sets and nailed nine points from four aces to oust sister team Nxled, 21-25, 25-19. 25-17, 25-18, on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
The Akari skipper, who has been a member of the squad since its debut in 2022, turned emotional after a 7-0 start — the franchise’s best start ever — and just a win away from sealing the top spot ahead of the knockout quarterfinals.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference second round
“I was emotional because our team’s been through a lot in terms of challenges. It made me emotional that even if we did go through a lot of challenges, nandoon pa rin kami like with my teammates, the support they give me, the coaches, the support and trust they give me is still there. Good thing, I still can lean on them,” said Cobb.
Cobb believes that the Chargers are for real and can go all the way to the top.
“We’re all on the same page and we’re all going in the same direction so as long as consistent kami sa ganon na keep pushing forward lang no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances sa team, as long as we keep it together,” she said.
Michelle Cobb and the Akari Chargers in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
With Akari missing the semifinals in the past two years, Cobb credited their impressive start to coach Taka Minowa’s system after he was shipped to the squad with Ivy Lacsina, Dani Ravena, Camille Victoria, and Cal from sister team Nxled.
“It’s really a team effort—the coaches, the players, the management. Everyone wants something to happen, and of course, that something is good and better for the whole team,” she said.
“I think the difference is with Coach Taka’s leadership and system; he got all of us on the same page. He showed us what he wanted to do, and we all got on board with it.”
Despite the strong start, Cobb emphasized that Akari still has room for improvement, especially when it comes to starting games strong.
“Our game plan is always to start strong, and we haven’t been doing that. We need to improve on that if we want to reach the top because we have the right composition,” she said.
“We already have the connection, so I feel like we just need to fully embrace our strengths. If we start the game strong, it will really make a difference. We need to improve now by having an explosive and dominant start every time.”
Akari eyes a group stage sweep against Farm Fresh on Tuesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City at 5 p.m.