Akari’s Cobb Rushed to Hospital Following Neck Injury

ANOTHER Premier Volleyball League (PVL) athlete suffered a horrific injury, with Akari Chargers captain Michelle Cobb being stretchered from the court owing to an apparent neck injury. 

The team captain was brought to the hospital during Thursday’s 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference match against their sister team, the Nxled Chameleons, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

This unfortunate incident occurred during the match’s second set, with a score of 5-3, when Cobb rolled over to save the ball, injuring her neck in the process. 

The medics immediately put her in a neck brace and rushed her off the floor. She was first assessed in the dugout and then sent to Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City for monitoring.

Cobb in Good Condition

Fortunately, Akari coach Taka Minowa confirmed during the postgame press conference that Cobb is in good health, saying he can “feel something.”

“She [was brought] to the hospital. She feels something. We’re not sure if it was a serious injury or not. But so far, she just went to the hospital and now checking up po,” the Akari tactician said.

Aside from that, sports producer Sam Corrales informed the TV panel during the game that Cobb is “responsive and is not feeling any pain in the neck” after being examined off the floor. 

The 25-year-old former DLSU Lady Spiker also “does not feel dizzy,” and her “forehead is just numb, but she can definitely grip with her hand,” Corrales noted. 

Just the other day, it was reported that Choco Mucho Flying Titans opposite spiker Kat Tolentino will miss the rest of the season due to a ruptured appendix.

Akari Wins

Despite losing one of their major players, Cobb, early in the game, Akari used it as incentive to secure the victory. The Chargers dominated the game, winning 21-25, 25-20, 26-24, and 25-18. 

Star spiker Ivy Lacsina set the tone for the team, scoring 17 points on 14 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Eli Soyud contributed 15 points, six of which came from kill blocks.

“Unang-una sa lahat happy kasi ‘yun nga po, natalo kami before this game, kaya parang boost din sa amin ‘yung pagkapanalo ngayon,” said Lacsina during the postgame press conference. 

Meanwhile, spiker Faith Nisperos contributed 15 points, and Camille Victoria broke the two-digit scoring barrier with 10 points. 

Akari will have a little rest before their next game on February 1, when they face Capital1. Nxled faces a more difficult challenge in powerful Creamline, which takes place on January 28 at the same Pasig site.