PVL: Akari Chargers Appoint Tina Salak As New Head Coach

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Three days after Taka Minowa departed from the franchise, the Akari Chargers were quick to find a worthy replacement after naming Tina Salak as the team’s newest chief tactician confirmed on June 2, 2025.

Akari’s latest off-season coaching move was announced through their various social media pages: “Akari fam, please join us in welcoming the newest member of our team, COACH TINA SALAK!” Akari wrote on their official Facebook page.

Before accepting the tough task, Salak took the helm as the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws head coach in the UAAP, and her run was nothing but spectacular after taking the school program to new heights.

After several struggling seasons, Salak’s impact lifted the Lady Tamaraws back into the UAAP Women’s Volleyball Final Four.

Despite losing at the hands of the more experienced National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, Salak’s impact wouldn’t be denied as she turned a struggling school into a contender.

Now carrying a much-needed winning mentality in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Salak will look to sustain Akari’s consistent appearance in the playoffs as the team placed third during the recently concluded All-Filipino Conference.

Before the AFC, the Chargers had a more impressive campaign in the Reinforced Conference and were a series shy of clinching the title but lost in the grand final round.

Salak is no stranger to the Akari organization after serving as an assistant coach during the 2024 PVL season when the team was still under the tutelage of former interim head Raffy Mosuela.

However, due to a heavier responsibility for the Lady Tamaraws program, Salak decided to step down, but will now have a full-circle moment once the PVL season kicks off this year.

During her playing years with the FEU Lady Tamaraws, Salak steered FEU to two championship titles and was hailed as the UAAP Season 95 Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardee.

Salak was also the Philippine national team’s main setter for four straight years since 1997 and propelled them to one silver medal and three straight bronze medals.

The former Lady Tamaraw also had numerous stints in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and last saw action with the Chery Tiggo squad last 2021 when she handled a playing assistant coach role.