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MANILA, Philippines – Bang Pineda and Eli Soyud have found a new home in Akari ahead of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League season, which begins with the Open Conference in February.
The Power Chargers, on Monday, announced the signing of veteran libero Pineda and wing spiker Soyud, both products of Adamson – the school Akari supported during the past UAAP season.
Pineda was part of the Petro Gazz championship in the Reinforced Conference 2022 but decided to jump to the newest PVL team, which joined the same tournament.
And since we’re on the topic of Adamson pride, why don’t we bring one of the most recognizable Lady Falcons in local volleyball? Expect a strong defense from the Chargers with the entry of libero Bang Pineda! Are you ready? COME ON! ⚡️💖✨ #AkariRising pic.twitter.com/lPpBBy6Zp7
— Akari Chargers (@AkariChargers) January 9, 2023
Former Adamson star says he wants to play under Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
“The main reason I chose Akari is the coaching and the program. I have never experienced being guided by a foreign coach. In addition, he is an Olympian. I am looking forward to learning from him. [coach Jorge]” said Pineda in Filipino.
Pineda is sixth in receiving while eliminating the Reinforced Conference with an efficiency rate of 37.19% and 10th in digs with 2.70 digs per set.
Akari will be the 31-year-old Pineda’s ninth club team after playing for Cagayan Valley and Kia Forte in Shakey’s V-League, Petron, Generika, and United VC in the Philippine Superliga, and spent the last three PVL seasons with Choco Mucho, Sta. Lucia, and Petro Gazz.
You want more Falcon pride in the team? You got it! Open 2023 with a big welcome for opposing hitter Eli Soyud! This is Team Akari! COME ON! ⚡️💖✨ #AkariRising pic.twitter.com/Em6fJjgrv7
— Akari Chargers (@AkariChargers) January 9, 2023
Soyud parted ways with PLDT after two seasons. High Speed Hitters released three players including Toni Rose Basas, who joined Cignal, and Heather Guino-o.
The 5-foot-11 spiker, who won the UAAP championship with La Salle in 2016 before transferring to Adamson, also played for Generika, Sta. Lucia, and Motolite in the early years of his club volleyball career.
Soyud and Pineda join former Adamson Lady Falcons Trisha Genesis, Krich Macaslang, and Chiara Permentilla.
“As a longtime supporter of the Adamson volleyball program, we are thrilled to have Bang and Eli sign to the Chargers,” Akari Sports director Russell Balbacal said. “It’s just to show Akari’s ‘wildness’. We take care of the Lady Falcons, and if the opportunity arises, we will definitely have more in the lineup in the future.
Akari finished eighth in the first PVL tournament, winning three out of eight matches, including Dominican import Pris Rivera’s record 44 points against Choco Mucho in five sets and a four-set stunner that broke F2 Logistics’ semifinal bid.
Philippine women’s national team coach De Brito and the Power Chargers are looking to advance to the semifinals in their second PVL season this year.
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