Tina Salak emphasized the importance of Akari’s supporting cast stepping up as the Chargers try to maintain their late push in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries.
Salak shared that the coaching staff had been giving their bench players more opportunities in training and ensured that those chances translated into game time — a trust that was rewarded in Akari’s four-set win over Capital1 last Saturday.
“Sa training, binabalik namin lagi na kailangan namin yung bench sa game. And then, kailangan natin itiwala kasi ‘pag sa training lang natin ginagawa, hindi rin nila makikita yung support,” Salak said.
“Yung support system coming from the coaches, kung hindi namin sila bibigay ng playing time. So, ‘yun, a good thing lahat na show up doon sa bench namin, and especially yung times na kulang kami yung middle since si Ced (Domingo0 nagkaroon ng sakit.”
(C) PVL Images
Rookie Chen Tagaod emerged as the biggest contributor off the bench against the Solar Spikers. She finished with 12 points and four excellent receptions, effectively taking over one of the starting outside hitter spots for the next three sets.
Jaja Villena and Jyne Sorreno also provided quality minutes, with Villena stepping in at times for an under-the-weather Ced Domingo in the middle. Both players finished with two points each.
“Mas masaya kasi magkakaroon na kami ng tamang timpla. Isa rin yung bench namin. Magkakaroon na rin ng identity kasi ‘yun ang pinaka-main factor ng ginagawa namin sa training,” Salak said.
Meanwhile, Tagaod expressed gratitude for the trust Salak has shown her — a coach she has worked with since their days at Far Eastern University in the UAAP — highlighting the mentor’s ability to bring out the best in her players.
“Siyempre, kahit dati pa naman, alam na natin kung ano si Coach Tina. Talagang magpu-push siya ng mga players, and doon na lang din ako kumakapit, simula college hanggang ngayon. Dapat ‘yun talaga mas makatulong, at mas matured na ako maglaro, kasi ‘yun nga ibang laro na ‘to eh,” Tagaod said.
Akari is currently one of the hottest squads in the league, winning its last three games after losing its first three. It has pulled its record to an even 3-3 — keeping its hopes alive in the race for a top-four finish in the qualifying round.
