One of the original Akari Chargers, Michelle Cobb details how Taka Minowa’s arrival has turned them into a contender.
If there’s a reason behind Akari’s rise to contention, it’s change.
The Chargers benefitted from a controversial sister team transaction with the NXLed Chameleons in the offseason. Sent to Akari were wing spikers Ivy Lacsina and Cams Victoria, setter Kamuy Cal, and libero Dani Ravena.
Then there’s head coach Taka Minowa. When Akari swept Pool A, Lacsina and holdover Ced Domingo credited his system as a major factor for their unblemished start.
On Thursday, Akari continued its electric charge, dispatching NXLed to secure a 7-0 record with a game left in eliminations. Starring in the game was longtime captain Michelle Cobb. An Akari Charger since their maiden conference, she also credited coach Taka as the main factor for their turnaround.
Having witnessed Akari’s various phases, Cobb noted Akari’s culture shift under coach Taka. Top of mind is his instillment of discipline, which can be attributed to his Japanese roots.
“Yun ‘yung mayroon kami ngayon siguro. I proudly can say meron kaming discipline sa sarili namin,” she told The GAME. “I think kasi parang siyang umbrella…Parang nai-encompass niya ‘yung culture na meron kami ngayon…kasi nagfa-follow through na ‘yung ibang [aspects] through that.”
Coach Taka brings firm leadership that unites the whole team, she said. From players to coaching staff, everyone is aligned with the mentor’s grand vision for the Chargers.
“Parang nahawaan niya na ‘Guys ito ‘yung gusto kong mangyari. Sana tulungan niyo ‘kong ma-apply ‘yun sa mga players’,” she said.
Cobb also detailed coach Taka’s approach built on high technicality. With an impressed tone, she shared: “Pagiging technical ni coach Taka sobrang lala! Kasi, ano siya, parang microscopic.”
“Actually pag nag-coach siya parang siya nagche-chess kasi alam niya saan yung i-adjust. Alam niya sino lalagay dito, alam niya kung ano game plan namin, ano gagawin nang kalaban,” she said.
As a setter, coach Taka’s philosophy is ideal for Cobb. After all, playmakers need a similar level of precision to unlock their spikers’ full potential.
“Long story short, wala siyang [coach Taka] pinapalampas. Kung merong point for improvement, a-address ‘yan agad…Parang constant improvement din everyday sa training,” she explained.
A new light
Today’s Akari is a far cry from their initial conferences. Previously they only registered a combined six wins. It wasn’t until the 2023 Second All-Filipino Conference that they breached the five-win mark.
So for Cobb, it means so much seeing the Chargers prosper. Being the Akari lifer, she’s well familiar with the challenges they faced over the years.
“Sobrang happy, kasi alam din ni Lord kung ano ‘yung mga challenges na pinagdaanan ng buong Akari franchise. Sobrang thankful kasi ngayon nakikita na namin ‘yung results ng all of the changes made,” she reflected.
“So ayun, parang I think meant to be naman na it took that while for us to have this going on right now.”
Even their unblemished run isn’t as perfect. According to Cobb, Akari has been dealing with health issues, such as minor injuries and common illnesses. It’s much heavier for Cobb, given these are things they cannot control.
Cobb was actually emotional during her Player of the Game interview. Despite these challenges, Akari continued to fight, she said.
“Really emotional lang na even if we did go through a lot of challenges, parang nandoon pa rin kami. With my teammates, the support they gave me, the coaches’ support, the trust they give me, it’s still there…And yeah, good thing na I can still lean on them,” she told reporters post-game.
In relation, Cobb’s start against NXLed was also on short notice, as Cal was only diagnosed with a minor injury on Wednesday.
“So syempre kailangan ko i-switch yung mindset ko na parang, okay lang ‘yan guys, kaya natin ‘to. Like, even if ako yung mag-start, like, I’ve done this before, na I think nagtiwala lang din ako sa sarili ko,” said Cobb, who’s taken a backseat to Cal for the conference.
“Kasi, at the end of the day, ikaw lang din naman yung kasama mo. Parang, you have to be your biggest cheerleader. And so, I tried to be that for me.”
The opening puzzle
All that’s left for Akari is to ace the Reinforced Conference eliminations. In doing so, they will head into the knockout quarterfinals with a perfect 8-0 record.
However, the team has one major issue: their slow starts. Including NXLed, it’s common for this Akari bunch to drop their opening sets. Minowa previously called this out, as it unnecessarily extends the game for Akari.
“Our game plan is always to start strong. And hindi namin ginagawa the past games. So, that’s what we need to improve if gusto naming maka-dating sa taas. Kasi ‘yung composition namin, nandon na ‘yun eh. Nandun na ‘yung kapit,” explained Cobb.
“So I feel like embodying lang, which is if we start the game strong, then it will really say a lot…Top of my head would be ‘yun lang ‘yung kailangan namin i-improve ngayon. Maging explosive pa, dominant [start] pa.”
Still, Akari has established themselves as a legitimate threat. So what more if they fix that loose circuit? As Cobb said, everyone is on the same page, and it’s just a matter of pushing forward while keeping it together.
In her view, Akari’s “seventh man” has also grown, which gives an added morale boost.
“Kumbaga, mas nakaka-enganyo ‘yung maglaro kasi alam mong namumoo na rin ‘yung fanbase. So, ayun, always a bonus ‘yun pag may fans na involved.”
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.