Taka Minowa is the new coach of the Akari Chargers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. -Marlo Cueto/Inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines — Japanese coaches Taka Minowa and Ivy Lacsina are facing the challenges that come with transferring to the Akari Chargers, starting with improving their campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
After being sent over from NXLead Camaleones, Lacsina shined in her first game as a Charger, scoring a game-high 20 points to help her team prevail over the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-18, 27-25, 22-25, 25-14, in their first Pool B game at the PhilSpors Arena on Thursday.
It was also a winning start for Minowa, who, along with Cams Victoria, Kamil Cal and Denny Ravena, were part of a deal to cover the needs of affiliate teams.
Event: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
The Japanese coach admitted that it was hard for him to leave his first team, which he believed was doing better after finishing eighth in the PVL All-Filipino – just one rank below Akari.
“In NXLED and Akari, when we compare the capability, it is really different. NXLED [was] They are performing better, which is why they were able to reach eighth place in the last conference. With Akari, I can make it more tactical because it has the potential to be a really good player,” Minowa said.
But now that he is with a much stronger Chargers led by Sead Domingo, Grethsel Soltones and Mitchell Cobb, he is eager to unleash their potential by improving the team’s chemistry, especially with Akari import Ollie Okaro.
Ivy Lacsina of the Akari Chargers at the PVL Reinforced Conference. -Marlo Cueto/Inquirer.net
“Now it's time for us to build it as a team. We have just started. I can't expect anything. We still have to keep working,” he said. “We have to make the most of this time to get better and also connect with Olli. As a coach, this is my aim: to combine with Olli and integrate him with Akari.”
Okaro had little time to train, but she showed Akari her abilities, earning 16 points with 14 attacks, a block, and an ace.
READ: PVL: Joining forces with familiar names made it easier for Ivy Lacsina to play in Akari
Laksina, for her part, is thankful to have Minova by her side when she transferred, as her coach made the transition easy.
“When I joined Akari I just had to adjust to my teammates. We have experienced players, so building relationships is really important. It became easier because Cams, Denny and Kamil, who I have played with before, helped me,” Laksina said.
She said, “Coach Taka has also appointed me as the playing captain. So even if I make mistakes, I cannot show my teammates that I am disappointed or my morale is low. My mindset is that I have to lead the team.”
Lacsina is looking to improve its game ahead of Tuesday's match against a comeback-looking Choco Mucho side, which was beaten by Cignal.
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“We know they are one of the top teams, so we will work even harder, especially on what we lacked in this game. We will face them knowing we can do it and we will give our best,” he added.
