As the Akari Chargers try to prove themselves as contenders, head coach Taka Minowa points out a few key traits they need to possess.
Akari Chargers head coach Taka Minowa was quick to praise the Capital1 Solar Spikers following his team’s 25-9, 25-17, 24-26 sweep against the young squad over the weekend at the Philsports Arena.
“Capital1 was really good, they showed fighting spirit until the end, even after a 25-9 first set [loss], so that’s something we also need to learn from them,” said Minowa during his opening remarks at the post-game press conference.
Indeed, Capital1 nearly forced a fourth set against the Chargers, despite lopsided losses for the first two sets. The upstart Solar Spikers seemed to have recomposed by set 3, going back and forth with Akari until clutch kills by Ivy Lacsina, Faith Nisperos, and Fifi Sharma iced the game.
So even with a dominant win, Minowa is treating the game as a learning experience for his Akari Chargers. More than embodying Capital 1’s fighting spirit, he hopes that his Chargers will also remain humble as they build on their historic run during the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
“We also need to learn from Capital1, what they’re showing with the fighting spirit,” the Japanese mentor reiterated. “Because sometimes we’re also missing that and we’re not even the champion team.”
“It was just last conference that we went to the championship [round], but sometimes we’re already acting like a champion team. So we just need to be more humble and then to focus on our improvement,” Minowa emphasized.

The Chargers have also been inconsistent to start the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, where they currently sit at fifth with a 5-4 record. Among their various points for improvement, is their struggles to score a straight-set win.
In fact, Saturday’s win over the Solar Spikers was their first sweep for the ongoing conference, which Minowa pointed out as a cause for concern.
“Exactly [it’s our first sweep win], I think that’s a problem. Kasi every time, we’ve always won 3-1 and not 3-0. It’s just our tactics were really working against Capital1, but especially if it’s a strong team, they will adjust [to our gameplan],” Minowa lamented.
“So we still need to work on how we will adjust during the game, and I think that’s most important, but at least we have good players,” he added, referring to Akari’s core that also includes veteran Grethcel Soltones and returning libero Justine Jazareno.
Akari will now have two more preliminary round games to work on their issues as they face Sisi Rondina and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans on February 8, and the new-look Cignal HD Spikers on February 18.
“This is going to be a long conference, and we’re still on the elimination rounds. So, at least we have a chance to challenge for a different system. I want to challenge during a game, not only during practice,” Minowa said.
Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.