Tina Salak getting the love as fans predict bright future for FEU women's volleyball

Coach Tina Salak and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws closed UAAP Season 85 with a loss, bowing to the masterful play of Louie Romero and the Adamson University Lady Falcons in four sets on Sunday.

The ladies from Morayta, who just completed their first season with Salak as head coach, placed fifth in the women’s volleyball tournament with a 6-8 win-loss card, a record below .500, or in more blunt words: a losing record.

Only that there was no sour nor gloomy vibe among Salak and her wards. When she faced the media after the game, she said she was thankful for “a good season”—before she quickly corrected herself.

“Not just good, very good run, very good season for us,” Salak told reporters. “Malaki ‘yung inimprove.”

They did improve. After posting only a single win the season prior, getting five more wins this year is a momentous milestone.

It’s not just about notching the Ws, but also about how they fared well in losses, pushing the best teams to the wall. Through the course of UAAP Season 85, the Tamaraws earned their keep and showed they belong.

Twitter user @VolleyBoi saw the bond formed by this team and predicts that the best is yet to come.

"These girls are so luck to have her [Salak]," the netizen wrote.

Coach Tina giving hugs to her players after a hard-fought season. 🥺

These girls are so lucky to have her. Very bright future ahead of this team. pic.twitter.com/Si28YgXrjk

— VolleyBoi 🏹💚 (@VolleyBoi) April 30, 2023

Netizen @ellenjoyhabacon agrees as she salutes Coach Tina for the work she put in.

"So much respect for you and your staff," said the fan.

Coach @TinaSalak so much respect for you and your staff for what you've done for the lady tams!!!! Grabe yung improvement sa performance nila! Only better things ahead!!!💚💛💚💛

— Ellen Habacon (@ellenjoyhabacon) April 30, 2023

Twitter page FEU TAMbayers and user @volleytiger had few but powerful words for the 1995 UAAP MVP.

🥺 "THE" Tina Salak. pic.twitter.com/eRlW1d6pm5

— FEU TAMbayers (@FEUTAMbayers) April 30, 2023

Much love for Coach T! 🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/mK9wqO981e

— 𝐕𝐓 (@volleytiger) April 30, 2023

Proud FEU alumnus and fan @siMathew48 hopes more successes will come for the revered Salak, specifically in terms of beefing up the volleyball roster.

We saw how remarkable coach Tina Salak was during games. I hope she could translate it in the recruitment wars as well. Goodluck coach! https://t.co/x7JWWr6O9s

— Mathew Apurillo (@siMathew48) April 30, 2023

Salak, on the other hand, is just focused on the task at hand. Like a true coach, she wants to zero in on areas of improvement.

Nonetheless, she recognizes the joys that they’ve had and the goals they’ve achieved during this season.

“Marami pa kami kailangang i-improve," she said. 

"Hindi man namin na-achieve ‘yung finish na 7-7, it doesn’t mean na nag-fail kami sa goal namin.”

Watch out for Salak and FEU next year, UAAP.