Taka Minowa will now call the shots for the Akari Chargers after coaching the Nxled Chameleons the past two conferences in the PVL.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — In an attempt to fill each other’s needs, sister teams Akari and Nxled have traded players and coaching staff with Japanese coach Taka Minowa now taking over the Chargers, bringing Ivy Lacsina and some of his key players for Dindin Santiago-Manabat and four others ahead of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Multiple sources revealed to Inquirer Sports that sister teams Akari and Nxled have undergone a major shake-up in their respective rosters with Minowa transferring from the Chameleons to the Chargers after just two conferences.
The coaching staff of both squads will also switch sides except for Tina Salak and Rodel Canino, who will stay at Akari, as Raffy Mosuela will now handle Nxled, according to a source who requested anonymity.
READ: No trades between PVL sister teams under new rules–Palou
Another source disclosed that Lacsina, who showed a promising first conference as a Chameleon, will be with Minowa and setter Kamille Cal as well as Cams Victoria and Dani Ravena, who are both returning to Akari after two conferences with Nxled.
The Chameleons acquired Manabat, who signed with Akari last year, as well as Bang Pineda, Trisha Genesis, Roselle Baliton, and Jaja Maraguinot.
Inquirer Sports sought Akari management’s confirmation but it has yet to respond.
PVL president Ricky Palou reiterated that the trades between sister teams will no longer be allowed in the league at the start of the 2024 season when former Choco Mucho players Bea De Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla transferred to sister team Creamline.
Despite not having a written rule yet, the team managers have already been informed during a league meeting.
Akari placed seventh in the past two conferences, finishing with a 5-6 record in the recently concluded All-Filipino Conference during Mosuela’s first stint as coach.
READ: PVL: Akari Chargers continue learning process
Nxled, under Minowa in two conferences, improved from ninth to eighth this year with a 4-7 card behind Akari. The Japanese tactician was promoted to volleyball program head of Akari this year before being shipped to the Chargers, hoping to get over the hump for the remainder of the season.
Lacsina and Cal are reunited with fellow Nazareth School product Faith Nisperos and also teaming up with new Akari players Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo as well as mainstays Michelle Cobb, Fifi Sharma, and Eli Soyud.
Minowa will be the third Akari coach after Jorge Souza De Brito called the shots in the team’s first four conferences and resigned from his post last December with his assistant coach Mosuela being promoted early this season.
Despite losing Minowa and Lacsina and Co., Nxled will have the veteran presence and scoring prowess of Manabat, who will team up with Lycha Ebon, Jho Maraguinot, and Chiara Permentilla.
The Chameleons recently won the first-ever Fair Play award for having the most green cards in the All-Filipino Conference. The team will also be part of the first-ever lottery for the Rookie Draft as part of the bottom four.