PVL: Japanese coach Minowa, husband of Jaja Santiago, to call shots for Nxled | Inquirer Sports

PVL: Japanese coach Minowa, husband of Jaja Santiago, to call shots for Nxled

/ 01:44 PM September 23, 2023

Taka Minowa

FILE–Japan’s assistant coach Taka Minowa.–Photo by Lance Agcaoili/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Japanese coach Taka Minowa will call the shots for the newest Premier Volleyball League team, the Nxled Chameleons, in their pro debut in the All-Filipino Conference in October.

Minowa, the husband of volleyball star Jaja Santiago, gets a taste of Philippine volleyball after the Chameleons welcomed him as their head coach on Saturday.

Article continues after this advertisement

The 32-year-old Minowa already has coaching experience and he will bring that to the debuting PVL club team.

FEATURED STORIES

Minowa has been serving as assistant coach of the Japan women’s volleyball team since last year. He is also part of the coaching staff of Chinese squad Liaoning Tengda.

Minowa, who will have coach Vilet Ponce De Leon as his deputy, will handle former Akari players Chiara Permentilla, Lycha Ebon, Jho Maraguinot, Krich Macaslang, Camille Victoria, Dani Ravena, and Rachel Jorvina as well as newcomers Kamille Cal, Jannine Navarro, May Luna, Maji Mangulabnan, and Judith Abil.

Article continues after this advertisement

Minowa worked as an assistant coach for V.League team Saitama Ageo Medics, where he met the 6-foot-5 Santiago. The longtime Japan Division 1 league Asian import announced their engagement last year and has been calling the Japanese coach as her husband on social media.

Article continues after this advertisement

Santiago, who is processing her Japanese citizenship, will play for a new V.League club after five years with the JT Marvelous this 2023-24 season and will be away with Minowa for a while as he brings his tactics to the PVL.

Article continues after this advertisement

The former PVL MVP last played in the local pro league in 2021 when she led Chery Tiggo to its maiden pro title in the bubble in Ilocos Norte. In the past conferences, her name was listed as a reserve player but didn’t see action due to her schedule in Japan.

Minowa is the second active foreign head coach with Brazilian Jorge Souza de Brito, who coaches Nxled’s sister team Akari — the squad of Jaja’s elder sibling, Dindin Santiago-Manabat.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: Jaja Santiago, PVL

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.