Ced Domingo will play for the Akari Chargers once her contract with Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand ends in February.–CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Ced Domingo admitted that leaving Creamline was a hard decision but she is thrilled to “try a new system and environment” with the Akari Chargers in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
Akari on Saturday announced that Domingo has committed to play for the Chargers once her contract with Nakhon Ratchasima volleyball club in Thailand ends in February.
Domingo confirmed through VP Global Management that she will suit up for Akari after parting ways with Creamline — her home for the past five years, winning four championships including the 2022 MVP of the Invitational Conference Final and a best middle blocker award last season.
“Leaving Creamline is always a hard decision. That’s how it felt in October, especially the Thailand stint offer came out of nowhere. But I thought this opportunity doesn’t come often so I grabbed it. No regrets because there are so much learnings here that I know I will cherish from this,” said the star middle blocker, who is still in Thailand as the Asian import of Nakhon Ratchasima. “And this time, another hard decision to leave them for good.”
“Honestly, the management has always been so understanding and until the last conversation I had with Sir Alan [Acero], I still really felt valued that’s why I will always have high respect for the whole Creamline family,” she added.
The 5-foot-9 Domingo is looking forward to playing under Japanese Nxled coach Taka Minowa, the Volleyball Operations director for Akari, and teaming up with young guns Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Trisha Genesis, and Justine Jazareño as well as veterans Dindin Santiago- Manabat, Michelle Cobb, Bang Pineda, and fellow new recruit Grethcel Soltones.
FILE – Celine Domingo.–PVL PHOTO
“It’s been a long time since I changed teams so I’m very much excited to try a new system and environment. And knowing Coach Taka will be the head of the Volleyball operations, I know that we will be in good hands. I’m also excited to play alongside ate Dindin, ate Michelle Cobb, Faith, Fifi, and my former teammates ate Bang, ate Roselle [Baliton], Justine, and Ezra [Madrigal],” Domingo said.
VP Global Management bared that the former Far Eastern University star has been one of the most coveted recruits since she won the MVP honors in 2022 but she chose to stay because of Jia De Guzman, whom she developed a strong chemistry before the setter took her act in Japan with the Denso Airybees.
“Pag binuksan mo yung pinto tapos ang daming kumakatok, talagang nakaka-overwhelm (It’s overwhelming. Once you open the door, opportunities will come knocking,) Gratefully, my VP family helped me sort things out. They assisted me in finding the best team that would match my interests, goals and values and a team that will help me improve more. I’m really happy with my decision especially because I know I took everything into consideration. I feel a lot of excitement after feeling overwhelmed,” she said.
Domingo is joining the Chargers, who are looking to make their first PVL semifinal appearance this season after their best outing yet in the second All-Filipino with a 5-6 record in seventh place out of 12 teams.
Akari has yet to announce its interim coach after Jorge Souza de Brito resigned last December.
As she opens a new chapter in her volleyball career, Domingo vows to bring all the learnings and memories with the Cool Smashers as she will be on the other side of the net this season.
“Sa Creamline community–management, coaches, players and fans, maraming salamat sa suporta, sa tiwala, sa pag-intindi, sa pag sama, sa pagsigaw, sa lahat ng palakpak (To the Creamline community, management, coaches, players and fans, thank you so much for the support, trust, understanding, and for cheering). Mami-miss ko kayo kasama (I will miss being with you all) but I know na you will continue to make me better as inspirations and idols even when I’m on the other side of the court. See you all sa PVL,” Domingo said.