TINA Salak felt like she was watching a movie when Far Eastern University’s 12-3 lead in the fourth set over University of the Philippines went into flames.
Down two sets to one, the Fighting Maroons forced a 12-all deadlock amid a 17-6 blitz to somehow overturn a massive deficit into a 20-18 lead with a chance to force a fifth-set tiebreak.
READ: Lady Tams avenge first round loss to Fighting Maroons
“Para akong nanonood ng action. Biglang drama. Biglang ang hirap para sa’min na ma-maintain yung lead,” Salak said.
A last-gasp fightback wasn’t to be for FEU as sophomore Congolese winger Faida Bakanke converted the most important parts of her 20-piece in the endgame.
As head coach, it wasn’t just her players that needed to stay calm under pressure.
“Yung motivation ko sa mga bata, hindi naman ako nagsasawa. Kung ano ‘man yung game na ‘yon or yung training na ‘yon, trabaho pa rin kasi isa lang naman yung goal namin. Hindi ako pwede magsawa rito,” Salak said.
“Kailangan ko pagtibayan din para sa kanila. Hindi ako pwede sumuko kasi hindi ako pwede magdoubt sa kanila.”
Grace under pressure
Even Salak herself had to keep her grace and poise from the sidelines to avoid emanating feelings of pressure and concern.
“Nakita ko yung maturity ng mga players kung paano nila i-handle yung pagiging behind four points. Very happy na nagkaroon kami ng ganitong turnout,” Salak said.
“Sabihin na nating may drama, may action, pero in the end, masaya lahat.”
How does she do it? Letting the players themselves realize what went and let them take it from there onwards.
“I ask them kung ano yung problema kasi kahit ako, hindi ko na rin alam kung ano yung problema. Every time they step on the court, kailangan nilang mag-usap on how to solve yung problema,” said Salak.
“Kung gusto nila mag-drama, sila rin yung magbabago ng pace ng laro pero for me, nandun lang yung guidance. Hindi ka pwede ma-lose hope sa kanila.”
Such composed guidance paid off as the Lady Tamaraws eked out a 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 over State U for their seventh win of UAAP Season 87.
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