TINA Salak found inspiration in a familiar face as she continues her own climb back to the top with Far Eastern University.
Fresh off steering FEU into the thick of the UAAP Season 88 Final Four race, Salak drew motivation from her good friend and former teammate Mayeth Carolino, who just delivered a breakthrough title for Letran in the NCAA.
READ: Letran, Benilde snap long title droughts in NCAA volleyball
Carolino, a Letran legend herself, ended the Lady Knights’ 28-year championship drought after dethroning five-peat-seeking Benilde in a gripping Game 3 of the Season 101 finals, restoring glory to Muralla.
For Salak, that achievement of Carolino's hit close to home.
The two go way back, having played together at Army in the Shakey’s V-League and as part of the last Philippine women’s team led by Ramil de Jesus to win a medal in the Southeast Asian Games, capturing bronze in the 2005 edition on home soil in Bacolod.
“Lagi kaming magka-usap. Nagbibigayan kami ng thoughts kung paano namin binuild ‘yung [teams namin] nu’ng bago ako, at bago rin siya kaya maraming challenges,” Salak said.
Their shared journey from players to coaches has been defined by the same grind, the same learning curve, and now, breakthrough moments.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanya, kung where we stand, nandito tayo na may purpose. Hindi tayo nilagay dito just because nilagay lang. Meron tayong purpose at iba ‘yung purpose ko dito sa team.”
Carolino may have reached the summit first, but Salak made it clear she never wanted her friend to simply follow her path.
“Lagi niyang sasabihin na ‘hindi, kailangan kagaya kita.’ No, kailangan meron kang sariling identity," Salak said.
“But I’m happy for Coach Mayeth kasi ‘yun nga, lagi kaming nag-uusap, even sa mga off-season, ‘yung mga preseason tournaments. Sabi ko, it’s a process. Tignan nating kung anong magiging bunga ng paghihirap na ‘yan. I’m very happy and proud.”
'Sana magawa rin natin 'yun'
Now, Salak hopes to write her own version of that story.
A former FEU standout herself, she is eyeing to end the Lady Tamaraws’ 18-year title drought and deliver the program’s 30th championship.
And just like Carolino’s journey, she knows it won’t be handed on a silver platter.
“Sana magawa rin natin ‘yun, ‘di ba? Ito ‘yung gusto nating inspiration, not because naghirap siya or nag-struggle siya. Hanggang du’n lang ‘yun. It’s always may return. May magandang labor na nangyayari.”
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