Nxled is following its sister team in getting foreign coaches.
It looks like the PVL really is the heart of volleyball. For Jaja Santiago anyway.
Incoming PVL team Nxled Chameleons announced on Saturday that they have tapped Japanese coach Takayuki Minowa as chief tactician.
He was a former assistant coach of the Japan V.League squad Saitama Ageo Medics and a member of the Japan staff that competed in the 2022 AVC Cup for Women.
And yes, he's the husband of Jaja Santiago—who is currently signed up with JT Marvelous in Japan.
Some fans were surprised with the announcement.
Would this mean Jaja Santiago would also provide some insight for her husband? She last suited up in the PVL with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
"Pabalikin mo si Jaja kahit isang conference," a fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Naturally, many are excited with the development as Minowa would be handling a fairly young but talented squad that includes Lycha Ebon, Camille Victoria, Krich Macaslang, Chiara Permentilla, Janine Navarro, Jho Maraguinot, Judith Abil, May Luna, Rachel Jorvina, Dani Ravena, Kamille Cal, and Maji Mangulabnan.
"Kung ito naman pala ang coach ko. Susko, kung DLSU player ako, dito na ako!" wrote a certain Magnus Bane in X.
Nxled is also seemingly treading on the same path as sister team Akari Chargers in tapping foreign coaches, as the latter has had services of Brazilian tactician Jorge Souza de Brito for quite some time now.
X user Simon thinks Nxled is on to something with Minowa at the helm—especially if they could somehow land a go-to player in the mold of a Tots Carlos or a Mylene Paat, who can take over when needed.
Of course, how the Chameleons will play under Minowa will surely be among the biggest storylines of the PVL's upcoming conference.
(MDB)