VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR — Justine Jazareno is ready to embrace a bigger role for Akari as she takes over as the Chargers’ new team captain following the sudden retirement of former skipper Michelle Cobb.
Jazareno was thrust into leadership after Cobb, who had been with the squad since its entry to the league in 2022, decided to hang up her jersey ahead of the PVL On Tour and transition to a front office role as the team’s assistant manager.
The former La Salle standout admitted that she’s still in the adjustment phase, but she has taken the responsibility to heart and thanked her teammates for helping ease the transition.
“Siguro more on tinatanggap ko lang din ‘yung responsibility na binigay sa’kin. Hindi pa ganun ka-fully for me, pero slowly kong tinatanggap ‘yung role. And siyempre tinutulungan ako ng teammates ko para magampanan ‘yung role na ‘yun,” said Jazareno.
The Alas Pilipinas pool member shared that it also helped that Tina Salak, her former high school coach at La Salle-Zobel and also a former assistant for Akari, will be stepping in as the team’s head coach.
Jazareno said that her familiarity with Salak, as well as with her system, has made the transition smoother and given her added confidence as she takes on greater responsibility within the team.
There are also some familiar faces, including new playmaker Bea Bonafe, whom Jazareno played with in high school.
(C) PVL Images
“Yes, kasi parang knowing na rin na nakilala ko na before si Coach Tina, so parang mas magkakaroon kami ng coordination and communication kasi naging coach ko na siya before,” said Jazareno.
The 25-year-old defensive specialist also shared that the team is adjusting well to Salak’s system, with every member putting in the effort to adapt and stay on the same page.
“As of now, smooth naman ‘yung adjustment naman when it comes to her system and bawat isa naman nakikipag-cooperate para makapag-adjust kami ng maayos talaga sa sistema.”
The Chargers are ready to usher in a new era in the upcoming PVL On Tour, but Salak will not be on the sidelines for the team’s debut. Stepping up in her place is assistant coach Eddieson Orcullo.
Akari will face off against Cignal on Sunday, before taking on multi-titled Creamline on Monday to cap off the league’s first stop.
Meanwhile, Jazareno and fellow Alas Pilipinas member Fifi Sharma both travelled with the squad here.
#WATCH: With Mich Cobb hanging up her jersey, Justine Jazareno embraces the challenge of stepping up as Akari’s new team captain
@jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVLonTour pic.twitter.com/NZd3MMGEIm
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 21, 2025
