By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Akari has appointed Raffy Mosuela as interim head coach for the upcoming 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, the team management announced Tuesday, Jan. 23.
Mosuela will temporarily fill in the shoes left by Brazilian mentor Jorge Souza de Brito, who tendered his resignation last year after four conferences.
“Charging into an exciting new chapter with a new interim head coach leading the way! We’re right behind you as you lead the charge, Coach Raffy!” the team posted on social media.
Prior to his new position, Mosuela was an assistant coach to the Chargers.
With the development, the 42-year-old is expected to team up with Nxled and Akari’s Director of Volleyball Operations Taka Minowa to train the retooled Chargers.
“Big challenge para sa’kin and sa coaching staff, pero medyo nakakapag-adjust naman na kami for this coming conference,” Mosuela said.
“Pagdating sa games, more on tactical, sa amin parin, but the training is nagbibigay parin siya ng inputs,” he added.
Mosuela currently serves as the head coach of the University of the East Junior Warriors. Under his leadership, the team has achieved a league-leading 11-1 record in the UAAP Season 86 high school volleyball tournament, and he’s looking to replicate the same success with the Chargers.
The Chargers have recently acquired Gretchel Soltones and Ced Domingo to join forces with mainstays Dindin Manabat, Fifi Sharma, Michelle Cobb and Faith Nisperos.
The team hopes to improve its seventh place finish in the Second All-Filipino Conference last year — its best performance since joining the league in 2022.
