COACH Kungfu Reyes was pleased to see Tina Salak keep up with younger teammates at Cocolife, saying he's convinced the veteran setter will be key to their Super Liga Grand Prix campaign.
Salak’s comeback was spoiled by Generika, which won in five sets, but Reyes believes it won’t take long for the Cocolife hitters to get in sync with the longtime playmaker.
Michelle Gumabao-skippered Cocolife has Tai Manu-Olevao and Taylor Milton as imports.
“Malaking bagay in the sense of leadership, meron na akong coach sa loob,” said Reyes. “Minsan nga mas mabilis pa nga siya sa ibang bata.”
Salak orchestrated Cocolife’s 53 attacks, dishing out 22 of the team’s 27 excellent sets.
“Overall, she did well para sa first game and at her age at 40. ’Yung bitaw ng bola efficient, mas matalas ang isip, ‘yung pasa ng bola magaling pa rin,” he said.
It was December last year when Salak announced her retirement after 25 years as a player, taking a job as assistant coach for Cocolife in the Invitational and All-Filipino conferences.
Reyes wasn’t surprised by Salak decided to return to action.
“Hindi naman ako nagulat doon kasi hahanapin na ng katawan niya ‘yun,” he said.
“Mas makakatulong siya kung nasa loob siya ng court kasi able pa siya maglaro. Sariling desisyon niya ’yun, nararamdaman niya na kaya niya pa,” Reyes added.
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