Strong Group taps Koji Tsuzurabara as PVL coach

Koji Tsuzurabara

PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines — Strong Group Athletics knew it would need a champion coach to win.

It got one in Japanese mentor Koji Tsuzurabara.

Tsuzurabara is expected to fill the vacuum left by Italian tactician Alessandro Lodi and bring with the same championship magic he brought when he steered the Petro Gazz Angels to their breakthrough PVL All-Filipino Conference crown last year.

The Japanese had an unfinished business in the Philippines after shockingly resigning midway in the PVL on Tour campaign that came just a few months after the franchise’s title romp.

And he would have a back up in Kungfu Reyes, who was also acquired Friday after his former squad in Chery Tiggo disbanded.

Tsuzurabara will take over the team that is already loaded with talent in Alohi Robins-Hardy, Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina.

This developed after Galeries Tower went on a total rebuild by letting go of its 13 players as well as its coaching staff headed by Godfrey Okumu, who took over from Lerma Giron in the Reinforced Conference after serving as the latter’s assistant from the start.

Let go were Carly Hernandez, Dimdim Pacres, Fhen Enmas, Ivy Perez, Andrea Marzan, Audrey Paran, Juliet Catindig, Lia Pelaga, Marian Andal, Dodee Batindaan and Shannen Palec.

Also out were Ysa Jimenez and France Ronquillo, who went to Capital1.

Left were Alas Pilipinas standout Julia Coronel, 2025 rookie second overall pick Jean Asis, Roselle Baliton and Winnie Bedaña.

Meanwhile, Creamline, after letting go of a slew of its role players to officially start its rebuild mode, tapped Alas Pilipinas libero Jen Nierva.