TAKA Minowa is joining his wife Jaja Santiago-Minowa in the United States, taking on a coaching role with League One Volleyball (LOVB) expansion club San Francisco Signal.
The Alas Pilipinas Women head coach joined the Signal’s pool of coaches on Tuesday, just a day before he begins his Asian Games campaign with the Philippines in Aichi-Nagoya.
READ: PH, PVL homecoming recharge Jaja for US debut in 2027
Minowa will serve as a volunteer assistant coach under Alfree Reft, while Santiago-Minowa prepares to suit up for the Signal in its inaugural LOVB campaign.
The Japanese coach welcomed the opportunity to finally work in the US, following the path of three mentors who gained valuable experience there.
“Finally, I’ll have the opportunity to coach in the [US], where my mentors Toshi Yoshida, Gen Kawakita, and Shigekazu Okubo also gained valuable experience and developed as coaches," Minowa said.
“I’m especially excited to be working with Coach [Alfee Reft], and I want to gain as much experience as possible and bring it back to the Philippines!"
Asia first, America next
Before heading to San Francisco, however, Minowa has an Asian Games campaign to lead.
Alas Women opens against reigning gold medalist China on Wednesday before facing Kazakhstan on Thursday, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the quarterfinals.
China has won women’s volleyball gold in nine of the last 11 Asian Games.
After Aichi-Nagoya, Minowa will eventually shift his focus to the Signal, who will debut in LOVB in January 2027.
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