By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
PHL volleyball legend Tina Salak is all set for a comeback as the lead mentor for the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws when the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball kicks off this year.
After a year since stepping down as the head coach of the FEU women’s volleyball program, the former national team setter will be returning once again and steer the squad to another productive season.
Last June 2023, Salak had to leave her post as chief tactician when she decided to move to the US when her immigrant visa application was approved.
Before leaving FEU, Salak had already turned the team into a more competitive unit and changed their fortunes from the worst in the UAAP to a near Final Four qualification.
Salak was a replacement for former head coach George Pascua and was praised by her rivals after taking FEU to the next level.
During her playing years with the Lady Tamaraws, Salak steered FEU to two championship titles and was hailed as the UAAP Season 95 Most Valuable Player (MVP) awardee.
Salak was also the Philippine national team’s main setter for four straight years since 1997 and propelled them to one silver medal and three-straight bronze medals.
With the recent turn of events in the FEU coaching personnel, the current interim head coach, Manolo Refugia, will now serve as Salak’s assistant.
FEU is fresh off a Final Four trip during the last season and with Salak back as the head of the high table, the school is already setting its expectations high on what the team can achieve in the upcoming UAAP games.
“FEU Athletics welcomes Coach Tina Salak back to her role as Head Coach of our women’s volleyball team. From the outset, it has been our intention for Coach Tina to provide long-term mentorship in FEU,” posted FEU on their social media pages.
