Volelyball coach Tina Salak and longtime girlfriend Pauline Gretel. –TINA SALAK INSTAGRAM
MANILA, Philippines — Legendary volleyball setter-turned-coach Tina Salak is set to tie the knot with her longtime partner Pauline Gretel on January 29 in Canada.
Salak on Saturday took to Instagram to announce the details of their civil union with the caption “Future Mrs & Mrs.” including an engagement ring emoji.
Premier Volleyball League players Kim Fajardo, Deanna Wong, Bang Pineda, Vanie Gandler, Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Vanie Gandler, Pauline Gaston, and her former Army teammate Jovelyn Gonzaga congratulated the volleyball coach as well as University of Santo Tomas setter Cassie Carballo and retired athletes Mela Tunay and Gretchen Ho.
Akari recently welcomed Salak as assistant coach for the upcoming 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season starting in February.
The 47-year-old Salak will be part of the Akari Chargers’ coaching staff, led by interim coach Raffy Mosuela and Akari and Nxled Japanese director Taka Minowa.
The former Southeast Asian Games medalist for the Philippine women’s volleyball team is set to bring her winning tradition as a player and coach to the Chargers, who beefed up their roster by adding Grethcel Soltones and Ced Domingo to support the core of Faith Nisperos, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Fifi Sharma, Michelle Cobb, and Bang Pineda.
The 1995 UAAP MVP was part of Chery Tiggo’s historic first season in the PVL three years ago as a playing assistant coach, winning the maiden pro title in the country inside the bubble in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Salak stepped down as Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws coach after one season. But interim coach Manolo Refugia said the team is still waiting if the legendary setter can still return to the team this upcoming UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
The school has yet to announce the Lady Tamaraws’ coaching status for the upcoming season.