With Tina Salak returning to Far Eastern University (FEU) as head coach, her protégé, Tin Ubaldo, expressed her excitement about their reunion.
As a legendary setter for FEU, Salak significantly enhanced Ubaldo’s playmaking skills and leadership when she first coached the team in UAAP Season 85.
Salak’s impact was immediate – she transformed a dismal 1-13 record from Season 84 into a much-improved 6-8 record the following year.
However, what began as a promising turnaround faced an abrupt halt when Salak had to step down due to personal reasons, taking on only a consultant role for Season 86.
In her absence, Manolo Refugia took over and led the Lady Tamaraws to a commendable fourth-place finish with a 9-5 record.
Last Wednesday, Salak made a triumphant return as head coach, coinciding with the Lady Tamaraws’ match against the Lyceum of the Philippines University Lady Pirates in the 2024 V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge.
FEU emerged victorious with scores of 25-16, 25-18, 28-26.
(C) V-League Images
“Ngayong siya na ulit ang head coach namin, super grateful ako kasi hindi magiging mahirap sa amin yung pag-aadjust kasi nga na-handle niya na kami,” Ubaldo said after FEU moved to 2-2 in the eight-team standings of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Ubaldo contributed 14 excellent sets and nine points, including four blocks, in the match against the Lady Pirates.
And she revealed that Salak had maintained contact with her even while in the United States last year.
“Hindi naman siya nawala, nandiyan pa rin siya kahit nasa US siya, actually nagmemessage siya every after game, ‘Tin ganito, ganyan,’” Ubaldo shared about her connection with Salak.
Salak’s influence was also noted by Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, who expressed interest in adding Ubaldo to the national pool.
Now, Ubaldo is focused on strengthening the Lady Tamaraws as they aim to make a significant impact in the V-League with their stacked lineup.
They still have University of the East and Colegio de San Juan de Letran on their elimination round schedule.
“Tulad ng sabi ni Coach T, unti-untiin muna namin kasi though stacked yung team namin, meron pa rin kaming bagong players so kailangan namin imaximize yung strength ng everyone sa team,” Ubaldo concluded.
