Far Eastern University women’s volleyball head coach Tina Salak is no stranger to answering the call to represent the Philippines, whether on the court or as an Army sergeant.
After leading the Lady Tamaraws to a rare UAAP women’s volleyball “three-peat” in the 1990s, Salak balanced her career as a professional volleyball athlete, a member of the Philippines women’s national volleyball team, and an Army corporal.
Her tenure with the national team was highlighted by a bronze medal at the 2005 SEA Games, all while managing her professional career and responsibilities as an Army corporal.
In 2014, Salak made the difficult decision to step away from Generika-Army’s campaign in the Philippine Super Liga All-Filipino Conference to attend military school and advance her military career.
This background is why, when her emerging rookie Clarisse Loresco earned a spot on the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s 33-player wishlist, Salak encouraged the 18-year-old middle blocker to seize the opportunity.
“Ang best advice ko sa kanya ay i-grab niya yung opportunity because hindi lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na ma-lineup sa Alas or ma-call for invitation. Maraming players ang nagho-hope kasi ang best — as an athlete, as a coach — ang best place talaga na mapuntahan is national team and serving the country,” Salak shared after FEU’s four-set victory over Ateneo de Manila University at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
With the win, FEU secured a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
“Kasi ganon ako, galing ako sa military, medyo mabigat na hindi ka mag-serve. Para tanggihan mo yung country mo. Para sa akin, ito yung opportunity na binigay sa’yo, i-grab mo,” she went on.
“Meron ka talagang mami-miss, meron ka talagang… May mga chance na hindi mo nakakasama yung mga players mo. But at the end of the day, yung personal growth, yun yung iisipin mo kasi once na fulfill mo siya sa sarili mo, ang laki ng dream mo, ang laki ng contribution mo sa team. Experience mo sa national team, nae-express mo sa mga teammates mo. For me, grab lang nang grab kung ano yung meron. Hindi lahat nabibigay, but pag na-miss mo yung opportunity, that’s the end of it. Hindi na dadating sayo.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
True to Salak’s advice, Loresco committed to seizing every opportunity that comes with being named to the prestigious 33-player PNVF wishlist, which includes PVL stars like Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, Tots Carlos, and Eya Laure.
Loresco was the only Lady Tamaraw, past or present, to make the PNVF wishlist for three major international tournaments: the 6th AVC Challenge Cup, the 5th Southeast Asian V.League, and the 33rd SEA Games.
“Super happy na sobrang laki ng supporta at tiwala nila sa akin. Yung opportunity na ito, iggrab ko talaga. Sabi nga ni Coach Tina, accept challenges lang talaga. Mahirap kung hindi mo ma-grab yung opportunity,” Loresco shared with reporters after contributing seven points, including four attacks and three blocks.
“Kagaya ng sinabi ko kanina, kailangan ko lang i-improve yung sarili ko and alam ko na katulong ko na i-improve yung sarili ko yung FEU program,” she added.
However, like many UAAP standouts, Loresco remains focused on her immediate goal: helping FEU secure a spot in the Final Four and, in turn, a twice-to-beat playoff edge.
With a win over the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University Lady Falcons on Saturday, April 9, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, FEU will clinch a Final Four berth.
“Sakin po, knowing na nasama po ako sa wishlist for Alas, kailangan ko po muna magfocus sa UAAP and iwork on po yung mga kailangan ko pa i-improve para din po mag-prepare for tryout din po,” Loresco said.
#WATCH: Clarisse Loresco is determined to make the most of her inclusion in the PNVF’s Alas Pilipinas Women wishlist this season 🏐
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 #Sambansa pic.twitter.com/0wrJcBmSAS
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 9, 2025
