Shakey’s V-League champ has new setter

With experienced setter Tina Salak hinting at retirement, newly minted Shakey’s V-League Open champion Army has turned to Jovelyn Gonzaga to take her place as the Lady Troopers seek more glory.

Gonzaga expressed readiness to fill the role which has proven to be crucial to the success of the Lady Troopers, who swept the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns for the title last Sunday.

“I’m ready and I’m always willing to learn,” said Gonzaga, who was so effective as an open spiker in Army’s successful run.

“I told coach (Rico de Guzman) this is my last,” said Salak, who has been in the service the last 17 years.

Salak has high hopes for the 22-year-old Gonzaga to flourish in her role, which she also took later in her career with Army and the national team.

“I’ve been trying to train her to play the way I play and think the way I think and I see myself in her (Gonzaga),” said Salak.

Army coach Rico de Guzman also expects Gonzaga to shine although he admitted that replacing Salak, the acknowledged leader of the team, will be tough.

“It will be hard to replace Tina,” said De Guzman.

“She is as tall, as quick, and as intelligent as Tina (Salak), if trained properly, there’s a chance she can play the same,” said De Guzman referring to Gonzaga.

Gonzaga, a 22-year-old education major at Central Philippines U in Iloilo, has been an understudy of Salak since June and, slowly, has started to develop and hone up her setting skills.

“I’ve learned a lot from her (Salak) but it’s still a long way to go for me to at least match her talent and skills,” said Gonzaga.