Michelle Cobb, a driving force behind Akari’s ascent in the Premier Volleyball League, can hardly contain her excitement over the Chargers' unprecedented success in the ongoing Reinforced Conference.
The Chargers, which had struggled in its early years, now sit atop the league standings with a flawless 7-0 record following their latest victory over Nxled on Thursday.
For Cobb, who has been with Akari since their debut in the league, this conference has been nothing short of transformative.
The Chargers, who finished the previous All-Filipino Conference in seventh place with a 5-6 record, have become the team to beat.
Now, with only one match left in the preliminary round, they have a chance to complete a perfect sweep when they face Farm Fresh on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Looking back, Cobb couldn’t help but reflect on the monumental shift that has occurred within the team. Akari had never finished higher than seventh place in their first five conferences, but this time, things feel different.
“I think marami rin kasing naging changes yung Akari eh in terms of players, in terms of coaches so this time around, na-feel ko rin po yung difference so for me positive siya kasi ayun nga, lahat kasi kami in sync in terms of sa system ni Coach Taka (Minowa),” Cobb shared, highlighting the new dynamics that have energized the Chargers.
The arrival of head coach Taka Minowa ahead of the Reinforced Conference has been a game-changer.
Alongside Minowa, Akari welcomed key additions like Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Cams Victoria, and Dani Ravena, all of whom have bolstered the team’s depth and versatility.
The chemistry between the players and the new coaching staff has made all the difference, according to Cobb.
When asked whether she believes the Chargers are now genuine title contenders, Cobb didn’t hesitate to express her confidence.
“Yes. Yes. Kasi like what I said, we’re all on the same page and we’re all going in the same direction. So, as long as consistent kami sa ganon na keep pushing forward lang no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances sa team, as long as we keep it together,” said Cobb, who contributed a stellar performance in their match against the Chameleons, delivering 18 excellent sets and adding nine points, including four attacks, four aces, and a block.
While Cobb is brimming with optimism, she remains aware of one critical area the team needs to improve: their tendency to start slow.
In their seven victories, three matches have gone the distance to five sets, three were decided in four sets, and only one ended in a straight-set win.
“Game plan namin kasi is always to start strong and hindi namin yun nagagawa the past games. Yun pa rin talaga yung kailangan namin iimprove if gusto naming makadating sa taas,” Cobb admitted.
Despite this, Akari’s rise from a mid-table team to the league’s frontrunner has been nothing short of remarkable. Cobb’s leadership on and off the court, coupled with the team’s renewed focus under Minowa’s guidance, has created a formidable unit that now stands on the brink of history.
