Akari Chargers’ Bea Bonafe ahead of the PVL on Tour in Vigan. –PVL IMAGES
VIGAN, Ilocos Sur — Bea Bonafe is ready to step out of her comfort zone as she joins the Akari Chargers ahead of the PVL on Tour.
After two years with Creamline, Bonafe will be wearing a new shade of pink as the newest setter for the Chargers.
SCHEDULE: 2025 PVL on Tour preseason tournament
“My contract with Creamline ends in June, so I wanted to go for another team. I asked them if it’s okay to get released already so I can look for another team, get new growth there as a player,” Bonafe told reporters.
“Creamline has been really supportive in the transition of looking for another team. It’s time for me to pursue my personal goals.”
Bonafe has been enjoying her time with the Chargers, making her first out-of-town trip with her new squad during their stop in Ilocos Sur. Akari faces the Cignal HD Spikers on Sunday and Bonafe’s former team, the Cool Smashers, on Monday at Chavit Coliseum.
Bea Bonafe, the newest Akari Charger, shares her adjustments so far. #PVL2025 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/wxKTWunKDB
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) June 21, 2025
“The adjustments, they’ve been great, especially with the coaches and my teammates. They’ve been really helpful and they’re all hands-on with me,” she said.
Bonafe will take on the challenge of running Akari’s offense alongside main playmaker Kamille Cal, following a runner-up finish in the Reinforced Conference last year and a bronze in the All-Filipino in May.
The 23-year-old setter is also grateful to learn under her high school mentor-turned-Akari coach Tina Salak, with Mich Cobb now serving as assistant team manager and setting coach.
“It’s a super full circle moment because coach Tina was my coach in Zobel. We were together for four years in high school, so coming back here under her, with a new position as a setter, it’s really just a dream come true,” she said. “Ate Mich helping every day in training is just making the transition faster and better for everyone.”
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The former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon also relished her reunion with former La Salle Zobel teammate Justine Jazareno, now the skipper of the Chargers.
“It’s really a huge help because coming in from high school, the bond is different. Coach Tina wants to really build the culture again of what we had in Zobel and when she coached in FEU, so having the people and the same roster is about building a family again,” Bonafe said.
