UAAP: FEU coach likes team’s chances next season amid steady rise
FEU Lady Tamaraws coach Tina Salas during the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final Four.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament FINALS – NU vs La Salle
MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University coach Tina Salak believes the future is bright for the Lady Tamaraws despite their Final Four exit in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
FEU was a set away from forcing a rubber match against National University but blew a two-set lead and allowed the defending champion to escape with a 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 17-15 win in the semifinal round last week.
UAAP women’s volleyball Finals preview: NU vs La Salle III
FEU coach Tina Salak, Tin Ubaldo, Jean Asis, and Chenie Tagaod remain proud despite falling short. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/U07queJ8ZE
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 3, 2025
“NU is a strong and championship-caliber team, with exceptional players across the board but still, we were right there with them. I’m proud of the program we’ve built over the last three years,” said Salak, whose squad got booted out by the Lady Bulldogs for the second straight year, in Filipino.
“I told the team they should be proud too. From finishing eighth, to fifth, and now two straight Final Four appearances. That’s huge progress. Maybe this year wasn’t the time, but next year? We’re more than capable.”
Salak sees a promising future for her rookies in Karylle Miranda and Clarisse Loresco as well as Love Lopez, who scored nine points and tallied seven excellent receptions against the two-time UAAP Champions.
READ: UAAP: FEU rues ‘missed opportunity’ in Final Four loss to NU
“When Love, Kaka, and Clarisse came in, we didn’t expect they’d perform the way they did. With rookies, there’s always that intimidation factor when playing with seniors. But the team stayed focused, and our seniors made sure to help bring out the rookies’ potential. It was about creating the environment for them to shine. And we’re so thankful they chose FEU,” the former FEU setter said.
FEU finished with a 9-5 record, sweeping University of Santo Tomas in the elimination round and taking down eventual finalist La Salle in the second round. The three teams were tied but the Lady Tamaraws ended up with the fourth seed due to the FIVB tiebreak system.
Even after failing to barge into the finals, Salak and her Lady Tamaraws remain hungry to live up to FEU’s legacy of being the winningest UAAP volleyball team.
READ: UAAP: Belen, Solomon take charge as NU avoids Final Four deja vu vs FEU
“From the start, FEU has always been a powerhouse—we have the most championships, after all. That’s what motivates all of us coaches: to make the Final Four, and through hard work, get a shot at the Finals. Even though we might’ve struggled in the rankings at times, we still gave other teams a hard fight,” said Salak.
“FEU made a mark this season, and that alone is commendable. We may not have gotten the best possible result, but I’m incredibly proud of everything we achieved in Season 87.”
FEU has the most number of women’s volleyball titles with 29. The Lady Tamaraws, however, have not won the crown since 2008 back when their program was still led by Rachel Anne Daquis.
