Incoming UAAP Season 87 FEU Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — A familiar face will be leading Far Eastern University (FEU) in its UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball campaign.

Fresh from their impressive Final 4 run in Season 86 with former mentor Manolo Refugia, the Lady Tamaraws are ready to take it a step further, and this time, it would be with returning head coach Tina Salak.

“Sobrang happy, and ang tagal ko ‘tong hinanap eh,” said Salak, who previously migrated to the United States before returning as one of Refugia’s top deputies in Season 86 in early 2024. “Umalis ako, nawala, pero sinabi ko na parang may kulang.”

In Season 86, the fourth-seeded Lady Tams took the No. 1 seed National University to the limit in the semifinals by forcing a decider, but the Lady Bulldogs went on to impose their might over the Morayta-based squad before trouncing the University of Santo Tomas in the finals and eventually clinch the championship.

However, despite this impressive feat, it did not really make Salak’s decision to return to the team that easy.

“Hindi naging madali kasi marami akong kailangan i-sacrifice,” the former FEU setter said. "'Yung family ko andoon na [sa US], pero ang sa akin lang is ayaw kong magkaroon ng regrets na hindi ko tinuloy. Pero siyempre, ang masasabi ko lang ngayon eh temporary ito. We’ll never know.”

It does not mean, though, that the progress that Coach Manolo and FEU earned last year will be put to waste. Salak is eager to work closely with Refugia to use that as a stepping stone to new heights in Season 87.

“Konti na lang [finals na sana]. Pero lumaki 'yung chance from 85 to 86, all thanks to Coach Nols. So mas na-motivate ako this Season 87 dahil sa ginawa ni Coach Nols,” said Salak, before sharing how he and Refugia have been working hand-in-hand for FEU.

“So we worked hard together, and nag-implement kami sa mga programs. Ang ganda ng work ethics namin, 'yung respect namin, ang may transparency sa relationship namin,” she added.

FEU is one of the squads that will feature a relatively intact roster this year, and for Salak, it is now up to them to take advantage of this.

“Sana mahigitan,” she said. “Privilege itong same line-up, happy kami, but we want different results.”