HEAD COACH: Tina Salak
LAST SEASON: 9-5 (Lost to NU in Final Four)
HOLDOVERS: Tin Ubaldo (captain), Chenie Tagaod, Jean Asis, Gerz Petallo, Faida Bakanke, Mitzi Panangin, Alyzza Devosora, Marga Encarnacion, Ann Monares
SUBTRACTIONS: N/A
ADDITIONS: Clarisse Loresco, Lovely Lopez, Karyll Miranda, Melody Pons, Jaz Ellarina
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IT was a Cinderella run too good to be true for Far Eastern University in UAAP Season 86, as it reached the Final Four for the first time in six years.
Led by neophyte head coach Manolo Refugia, the Lady Tamaraws went from one-win wonders in Season 84 to one win shy of a breakthrough finals appearance in Season 86 — a once-improbable turnaround made possible in just a two-year window.
The highlight of the year that was for the 9-5 Morayta side? Stripping eventual champion National University of its twice-to-beat advantage with a straight-sets stunner in their semifinals opener.
While the green-and-gold failed to put the Lady Bulldogs away in the rubber match, Season 86 laid a promising foundation for the future of the UAAP’s winningest volleyball program.
Looking ahead to Season 87, FEU will feature a generally intact core of players led by veteran quartet Chenie Tagaod, Jean Asis, Gerz Petallo, and Tin Ubaldo along with top aces Faida Bakanke, Mitzi Panangin, and Alyzza Devosora, among others.
Even better, they will also have former FEU-Diliman young guns Clarisse Loresco, Lovely Lopez, and Karyll Miranda onboard to bolster their resurgence.
Tina Salak comeback
When it comes to changes, however, the Lady Tamaraws made their fourth coaching switch in as many seasons — but with a returning face this time.
Refugia will go back to the assistant's chair, while handing over the shot-calling to the green-and-gold’s legendary setter Tina Salak.
Salak was first appointed as FEU’s lead tactician back in Season 85 when they ran a six-win campaign that fell one spot short of the Final Four.
She’d temporarily step down from her post just before Season 86 in which Refugia made his head coaching debut — one that turned out for the best results-wise.
Midway through Season 86, Refugia and and the Lady Tamaraws welcomed Salak back to the coaching staff as a deputy. It was three months after season end when they then announced Salak’s reprisal of her head coaching role.
Now, FEU has last year’s pieces — and more — to work with in what will be another historic bid to win the school’s 30th women’s volleyball crown.
With a V-League silver and a Shakey’s Super League bronze on hand from the offseason, expect the Lady Tamaraws to charge on braver than ever with nothing but gold in their sights.
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