Latest news with #ReinforcedConference
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Michelle Cobb announces retirement from volleyball
Michelle Cobb is hanging up her jersey, announcing her retirement from volleyball after years of playing competitively in the UAAP and the PVL. The 26-year-old setter said she's leaving the game for good to open a new chapter in her life. "After years of love and dedication to the game, I've decided to close this chapter. I'm retiring with a grateful heart, proud of everything this journey has given me," Cobb said in a heartfelt Instagram post Wednesday night. "To everyone who's been part of this journey, thank you for being family. " Cobb is a celebrated playmaker in both the amateur and the professional scene. She once helped De La Salle University clinch two UAAP titles in Seasons 79 and 80 to complete a three-peat feat. She then moved on to the bigger stage, suiting up for F2 Logistics before transferring to Akari, which was then making its PVL debut back in 2022. With the Chargers, Cobb was able to guide young guns like Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Celine Domingo, and Ivy Lacsina. Together, they would help the franchise reach its first-ever finals appearance during the 2024 Reinforced Conference. But Cobb said it's time she stepped away from the taraflex. "As I step away from the game, I carry the strength, love, and determination it gave me. This isn't the end — just a new chapter, written with the same heart that played every point." —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Sport
- GMA Network
Tina Salak replaces Taka Minowa as Akari head coach
Tina Salak has been named as the new head coach of the Akari Chargers. Akari announced the development on Monday, a day after the team also announced that Taka Minowa has parted ways with the Chargers. "A respected name in women's volleyball, Coach Tina will be serving as head coach for the upcoming season," Akari said. "Under her steady guidance, we trust that our Chargers are in good and very capable hands. We can't wait to see what new heights our Chargers can achieve under her leadership!" Salak has been with the Akari coaching staff since 2024 and is also the head coach of the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP. Minowa, meanwhile, joined the Chargers in 2024. He steered Akari to its first runner-up finish in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, followed by a bronze medal finish in the recent All-Filipino Conference. "We have to say goodbye to this important member of our Akari family, but he will always be an important part of our journey thus far," the Chargers said in their post. "Thank you to Coach Taka for your cool yet compassionate leadership and never-ending commitment to making our talents bloom; you led our team to our best finish in PVL history, and that will always stay with us." Aside from Minowa, the team also bid farewell to Cath Almazan, Ysa Bakabak, and coaches Rodel Canino, Yuga Hayashi, and Vilet Ponce de Leon. Earlier, Capital1 also announced Jorge De Brito as its new head coach and appointed Roger Gorayeb as consultant. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
