PVL: Tina Salak joins Akari’s coaching staff as assistant

Akari Chargers’ newest assistant coach Tina Salak.

MANILA, Philippines — Tina Salak bolsters Akari’s coaching staff ahead of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season, which opens in February.

The Chargers on Wednesday welcomed Salak, who will be part of interim coach Raffy Mosuela’s coaching staff.

“She’s back! Welcome to the Akari Chargers, Assistant Coach Tina Salak! We have seen how she has elevated her teams in the past, which is why we are thrilled to see how she will contribute to the growth of our players this season. We are delighted to have you on our squad, Coach Tina,” Akari said in a social media post.

Salak stepped down as Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws coach after one season as she is set to migrate to the United States. But interim coach Manolo Refugia said the team is still waiting if the legendary setter can still return to the team this upcoming UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

The school has yet to make an announcement.

Salak, a former Southeast Asian Games medalist for the Philippine women’s volleyball team, is set to bring her winning tradition as a player and coach to the Chargers, who beefed up their roster by adding Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo to support the core of Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Fifi Sharma, Michelle Cobb, and Bang Pineda.

Salak will work once again with Mosuela after also being  part of former Akari coach Jorge Souza de Brito’s women’s national team coaching staff. They will also be joined by Nxled Japanese coach Taka Minowa, who has been promoted as the director of volleyball program for both sister teams.

The 1995 UAAP MVP was part of Chery Tiggo’s historic first season in the PVL three years ago as a playing assistant coach, winning the maiden pro title in the country inside the bubble in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.