AKARI has appointed assistant coach Raffy Mosuela as the interim head coach for the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, which is scheduled to begin next month.

Mosuela took over from Brazilian mentor Jorge Souza de Brito, who stepped down last month after four conferences with the Chargers.

“Big challenge para sa akin and sa coaching staff, pero medyo nakakapag-adjust naman na kami for this coming conference,” Mosuela said in an interview with Akari Sports website.

In his new position, the 42-year-old mentor will collaborate with concurrent Nxled coach and Akari’s Director of Volleyball Operations, Taka Minowa, to train the retooled Chargers.

“Pagdating sa games, more on tactical, sa amin parin, but the training is nagbibigay parin siya ng inputs,” said Mosuela.

When asked about his relationship with Minowa, Mosuela had nothing but praise for the insightful Japanese coach.

“Yes, okay naman. Napaka-informative lahat ng binibigay niya sakin, mga drills. Upon training, pag may napansin siya, minsan pumapasok siya to [help] dun sa individual skills ng mga bata,” Mosuela said.

A former San Sebastian standout, Mosuela is expected to look forward facing his former college mentor Roger Gorayeb, who is tasked to handle newcomer Capital1, in the league.

Mosuela currently serves as the head coach of the University of the East high school boys volleyball program, where the Junior Warriors are currently leading the league with a 12-1 record.

With the acquisition of Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo, who will on board right after her Thailand stint, to back up veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Bang Pineda and Michelle Cobb, along with rising stars Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno, there’s no way for Akari but to go up.

The Chargers went 5-6 in the season-ending Second All-Filipino Conference in seventh place.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado