Taka Minowa has officially stepped down from his post with the Akari Chargers, marking the end of a transformative era for the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) club.
In a heartfelt announcement shared on social media Saturday, Minowa confirmed his departure and looked back on a storied year that saw Akari rise from the bottom ranks to legitimate title contenders.
“As I now step away from this role, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the coaching staff, who worked with relentless commitment — you guys are like family to me,” wrote Minowa. “To the players, who gave their best every single day — thank you for all your sacrifices and your patience.”
Minowa, the husband of Filipino volleyball star Jaja Santiago, joined the PVL initially as the head coach of Nxled before moving to sister team Akari after two conferences. His arrival marked a turning point for the Chargers, who had yet to break into the top six since their entry into the league.
In his debut conference at the helm, Minowa steered Akari to a historic finals berth in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference — a first for the franchise — where they ultimately fell short against the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers. Despite the loss, the Chargers’ inspired run under Minowa caught the attention of fans and rivals alike.
“One year ago, I received an offer from team management who said, ‘We have a lineup that can become a champion team.’ This was coming from a team that, since its founding, had never finished in the top 6. That alone gives you an idea of how challenging this journey was going to be,” Minowa recalled.
While his second conference with Akari in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference began on shaky ground, the squad quickly found its footing and clinched a semifinals slot. Though they were later eliminated, Akari salvaged a bronze medal finish — another first for the young franchise.
“We chose not to chase results, but to focus on daily growth,” said Minowa. “We believed in the process, and that belief kept us moving forward — day by day, challenge by challenge.”
Beyond his tactical brilliance, Minowa was praised for fostering a culture of belief and resilience within the team. Under his leadership, Akari began shedding its label as a perennial cellar-dweller and established itself as a squad on the rise.
He also took time to thank the PVL community and the fans for their unwavering support.
“To the PVL and the fans — your warmth truly made a difference,” he said. “And to the social media team — you gave me a completely new experience and brought me the joy of sharing volleyball in a different way.”
While he did not disclose his next move, Minowa’s departure leaves a significant void in the Akari bench. Nevertheless, he believes the team is primed for even greater success moving forward.
“Even the most successful team in the PVL started with back-to-back podium finishes before finally becoming champions — and that’s exactly where this team now stands,” he said, referencing Creamline’s decade-long dominance that began with consecutive top-three finishes. “The foundation has been laid. The belief is real. And the future is bright. Go for gold!”
Minowa expressed hope that his efforts left a lasting impact not only on his players but on the Philippine volleyball community at large.
“I would be truly grateful if I’ve been able to make even a small positive impact or provide some inspiration to the team and to Philippine volleyball,” he said. “It was an honor to work in my wife’s home country. Thank you, team. Thank you, PVL.”
