UAAP: Tina Salak urges Alas tryout invitee Cla Loresco -- 'Grab the opportunity'

FEU rookie Cla Loresco. UAAP Media

MANILA, Philippines – When the opportunity presents itself, grab it.

This was what FEU women's volleyball head coach Tina Salak stressed to her rookie, Cla Loresco, who was invited for Alas Pilipinas tryouts by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.

Salak, a former member of the national team herself, had some pieces of advice for her youthful Lady Tams gunner.

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"Ang best advice ko sa kaniya ay i-grab niya 'yung opportunity because hindi lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na ma-lineup sa Alas [Pilipinas] or ma-call for invitation. Maraming players ang nagho-hope," Salak said.

Salak, who also served in the military, had a personal cause why Loresco had to go for it.

For the former decorated setter, there's no higher honor in serving the country.

"Ang best place talaga na mapuntahan is national team. Serving the country — kasi ganon ako, galing ako sa military, medyo mabigat na hindi ka mag-serve. Para tanggihan mo 'yung country mo," she said.

Loresco should bat for it as a national team stint would give her growth, Salak stressed.

"At the end of the day, 'yung personal growth, 'yun 'yung iisipin mo," she said.

For Loresco's part, she said that she's up for the challenge.

She belongs to a 33-athlete list that will be invited for a series of tryouts which will determine the composition of Alas Pilipinas Women for three significant contests later this year.

"'Yung opportunity na 'to, iga-grab ko talaga," she said. "Sabi nga ni coach Tina, accept challenges lang talaga."