Dindin Santiago-Manabat joins Akari for new PVL season

FILE–Dindin Santiago Manabat is the newest member of Akari.-PHOTO CONTRIBUTION

MANILA, Philippines – Dindin Santiago-Manabat has found a new home, joining Akari’s young squad in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season, which begins in February with the Open Conference.

Sources told Inquirer Sports that the star opposite spiker signed with the Chargers.

On Friday morning, the team’s social media page officially introduced Manabat as their biggest recruit.

Welcome to the New Era.

Leadership. Intensity. And the highest skill. This is all we can expect from the newest member of the Akari family! Let’s welcome Dindin Santiago-Manabat to the fold! COME ON! ⚡️💖✨ #AkariRising @dindinsmanabat pic.twitter.com/CX31PTJe95

— Akari Chargers (@AkariChargers) January 13, 2023

Akari is the most sought after player in the offseason free agency as the 29-year-old Manabat is expected to share his attacking prowess and experience with the young team joining the PVL in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.

Manabat parted ways with Chery Tiggo after six years with the franchise last December 29, saying he is also pursuing opportunities to play overseas again, especially in South Korea.

The 6-foot-2 wing spiker led the way for Crossover at the Open Conference last year but he suffered an ankle injury and missed the entire Invitational. He also played sparingly in the Reinforced Conference, where he also entered a health and safety protocol that caused him to miss several games.

Dindin Santiago Manabat during the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship 2021. -PHOTO CONTRIBUTION

Manabat, a former National University stalwart, won two titles with the franchise, helped the Foton Tornadoes dominate the 2016 Philippine Superliga Grand Prix and teamed up with his younger brother, Jaja Santiago, to lead the Crossovers to their historic first PVL professional championship when they arrived. -come-from-behind five-set victory over Creamline Cool Smashers in the winner-takes-all Game 3 in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte last 2021.

Manabat reunited with Philippine women’s volleyball team coach Jorge Souza de Brito after playing in the 2021 AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The multi-awarded spiker also brings experience from international leagues as he played in the Japan V.League for Toray Arrows in 2018 and Kurobe AquaFairies in 2019. He also saw action with Nakhon Ratchasima in the Thailand Volleyball League, teaming up with Mylene. Paat in early 2022.

The young Akari core consists of Trisha Genesis, Erika Raagas, Lycha Ebon, Michelle Cobb, Jaja Maraguinot, Dani Ravena and veteran spiker Janine Marciano.

Aside from Manabat, the Chargers also signed Camille Victoria, Petro Gazz libero champion Bang Pineda, and experienced striker Eli Soyud from PLDT.

Akari finished eighth in the first PVL tournament in the Reinforced Conference, winning three of eight matches, including Dominican import Pris Rivera’s record 44 points against Choco Mucho in five sets and a four-set stunner that ruined F2 Logistics’ semifinal bid. .

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