From a one-win campaign in the UAAP Season 84 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Far Eastern University has rapidly risen to the upper ranks of a fiercely competitive eight-team field that includes perennial powerhouses such as National University, University of Santo Tomas, and De La Salle University.
At the center of the Lady Tamaraws’ stunning transformation from an eighth-place finish in Season 84 to legitimate title contenders is none other than FEU volleyball legend Tina Salak.
The former national team setter took the reins of her alma mater’s program in Season 85 back in 2022.
Since her arrival, the Lady Tamaraws have steadily built their momentum. They finished fifth in Season 85, followed by back-to-back Final Four appearances in Seasons 86 and 87 — marking a resurgence that few expected in such a short time.
While FEU’s championship hopes were once again dashed by NU, the Lady Tamaraws gave the defending champions a massive scare in their Season 87 Final Four clash. After taking a surprising 2-0 set lead, they eventually fell short in a heartbreaking five-set thriller: 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 14-25, 15-17.
Still, instead of focusing on the defeat, Salak and her squad ended the season with pride. They closed the elimination round with a statement win over the Lady Spikers in four sets.
Then, though they bowed out to the Lady Bulldogs in five sets, they earned the respect of the league with their grit and growth.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Para sa akin, ang ganda nung programa na binuild namin in a span of three years. Sinabi ko nga sa kanila na we should be proud doon sa achievement: from eighth place to fifth and then dalawang Final Four appearance. Malaking factor ‘yon sa program,” Salak shared.
“Nag-leave a mark pa rin yung FEU ngayong season na ito, very commendable yung naging outcome. Hindi ‘man namin nakuha yung best result, pero sobrang nakakaproud yung nangyari sa amin ngayong Season 87,” she added.
More than their ability to challenge the league’s top teams, Salak found encouragement in the emergence of her promising rookie class, featuring Karyll Miranda, Lovely Lopez, and Clarisse Loresco. These young talents provided crucial support to veterans like Tin Ubaldo, Chenie Tagaod, and Jean Asis.
Miranda learned the ropes under the guidance of both Ubaldo and Salak, while Loresco’s potential was undeniable — so much so that she was included in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s 33-player wishlist for the Alas Pilipinas Women’s pool.
Meanwhile, Lopez shined when it mattered most. She tallied eight points in FEU’s upset of La Salle and followed it up with a nine-point performance in their five-set loss to NU, proving she can rise to the occasion.
“Noong dumating sa amin sila Love, si Kaka [Miranda], si Clarisse, hindi namin ine-expect na ganon yung magiging outcome or ganon yung magiging performance. Kasi basically, pagdating sa rookies, medyo may intimidation factors sa mga seniors,” the 48-year-old mentor acknowledged.
“We stayed the course, pati yung mga seniors. Kaya sabi nga nila Chen or ni Jean, para malabas yung best potential nila. Thankful kami na pinili nila yung FEU.”
Despite the heartbreak, Salak emphasized that this is only the beginning. With FEU owning a league-best 29 women’s volleyball titles — though none since Season 70 in 2008 — Salak feels determined to bring the championship back to Morayta.
“To begin with, kailangan talaga na may FEU kasi kami yung may pinakamaraming championships. ‘Yon yung pinaka-motivation ng lahat ng coaches — na mapunta sa Final Four, and then mabigyan ng chance, through hard work, na mapunta kami sa Finals,” she said.
“Siguro kung medyo nagsa-struggle kami sa ranking, but marami pa rin kami na teams na pinahirapan.”
