VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR – Bea Bonafe is ready to turn the page and embrace a new chapter in her volleyball career, as she makes the move from Creamline to Akari ahead of the upcoming Premier Volleyball League season.
After spending two full seasons and five conferences with the Cool Smashers, the young setter shared that she felt it was time to step out of her comfort zone and pursue personal goals that had long been waiting in the wings.
Bonafe also expressed deep gratitude to Creamline for providing a nurturing environment and for fully supporting her decision to move forward.
“Well, my contract with Creamline ends in June, so I wanted to go for another team. I asked them if it’s okay to get released already so I can look for another team, get new growth there as a player,” Bonafe shared.
“Creamline has been really supportive in the transition of looking for another team. It’s time for me to pursue my personal goals na rin naman,” she added.
Now with the Akari Chargers, Bonafe feels determined to take on a larger role and continue her development as a setter, embracing a fresh challenge within a team that has undergone significant changes.
Bonafe enters a squad that is in transition, following the offseason retirement of veteran setter and skipper Michelle Cobb, who has since shifted to a role as the team’s assistant manager.
(C) PVL Images
“The adjustments, they’ve been great, especially with the coaches and my teammates. They’ve been really helpful and they’re all hands-on with me naman,” said the former University of the Philippines standout.
“Ate Mich [Cobb] helping every day in training is just making the transition faster and better for everyone,” she added.
The 23-year-old playmaker is also reuniting with familiar faces in Akari, including head coach Tina Salak and team captain Justine Jazareno — both of whom she played with during her high school days at De La Salle-Zobel.
Bonafe said their presence has made her transition smoother, providing both comfort and confidence as she adapts to her new team environment.
“Super full circle moment kasi coach Tina [Salak] was my coach in Zobel, so we were together for like four years in my life in high school and so coming back here under her naman, with a new position as a setter, it’s really just a dream come true,” said Bonafe.
“It’s really a huge help kasi coming in from high school, just the bond is the brand. Coach Tina wants to really build the culture again of what we had in Zobel and when she coached in FEU, so having the people and the same roster is about building a family again.”
#WATCH: Former Creamline setter Bea Bonafe opens up about reuniting with Coach Tina Salak and teammate Justine Jazareno at Akari 🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVLOnTour pic.twitter.com/OSZ6mkBVtF
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 21, 2025
