Jorge Souza de Brito resigns as Akari coach

Jorge Souza de Brito leaves up his post as Akari coach. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Jorge Souza de Brito has stepped down as the head coach of the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

Akari on Thursday announced that the Brazilian coach, who also handles the Philippine women’s volleyball team, has decided to leave the team after four conferences.

“Coach Jorge Souza de Brito has submitted his resignation as head coach of the Akari Chargers to be effective December 15, 2023,” the team wrote. “Akari management has accepted the resignation of Coach Jorge and offer our sincerest appreciation and thank him for his time and service for the 4 conferences he has served as head tactician of this young promising team.”

“We wish coach Jorge the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

De Brito was the coach of the Chargers since they joined the PVL in the Reinforced Conference last year where they finished eighth with a 3-5 record led by import Prisilla Rivera.

In his second season, Akari also placed eighth with a 2-6 record in the first All-Filipino Conference, where it paraded new recruits Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Bang Pineda.

Then the team slid to 10th in the Invitational Conference, winning only one of their five matches in the first tournament of prized recruit Faith Nisperos.

The Chargers, who signed La Salle players Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareño, had their best PVL start in the second All-Filipino Conference, winning three of their first four games. But they still missed the semifinal after strings of defeats midway through the tournament, leading to a 5-6 finish in seventh place.

The Chargers will have to find a new head coach, who will call the shots for Manabat, Nisperos, Sharma, Jazareño, and other players, for the next PVL season.

“More announcements will follow soon as to the new direction the Akari Chargers will take moving forward,” the team said.

The day before Akari announced De Brito’s departure, F2 Logistics decided to disband its team, making its players, led by Kianna Dy, Ivy Lacsina, Aby Maraño, Ara Galang, and Majoy Baron, and coach Regine Diego available to sign to other teams.