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Tag: Tina Salak

  • FEU parts ways with coach Tina Salak as she turns full attention to Akari Charges

    FEU parts ways with coach Tina Salak as she turns full attention to Akari Charges

    In a move that signals a full shift toward the professional ranks, Tina Salak has officially stepped down as head coach of the Far Eastern University women’s volleyball team after three years at the helm.


    The FEU announced the decision on Saturday morning, confirming that Salak will step away from her role with the Lady Tamaraws to concentrate on her growing responsibilities in the Premier Volleyball League with the Akari Chargers.

     

    Salak, who previously starred as a playmaker during her playing days with FEU, leaves the Morayta-based program for the second time across two separate stints in charge—underscoring a coaching journey that has repeatedly crossed between rebuilding collegiate duty and pro-level ambitions.

     

    “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Coach Tina Salak for her outstanding leadership and commitment to the team over the past four seasons,” the team said in a social media post.

     

    Her departure comes at a turning point for the Lady Tamaraws, who narrowly missed a return to the Final Four in the most recent campaign after finishing with an 8–6 record. 

     

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    The result fell short of their previous season’s breakthrough, when Salak guided FEU back into semifinal contention and helped restore its competitiveness among the league’s traditional powers.

     

    “Her dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have played a significant role in shaping our program and elevating our standards both on and off the field,” the post added. 

     

    Despite the mixed results, FEU credited Salak for leaving a lasting imprint on the program’s identity, particularly in stabilizing a team that had been searching for consistency and direction across multiple seasons and coaching changes.

     

    Her exit also highlights a growing divide in her professional path. While she helped rebuild FEU into a contender, her increasing commitment to the Akari Chargers has now taken priority as the franchise prepares for a crucial stretch in the Premier Volleyball League calendar.

     

    Akari is set to begin its next campaign at the PVL on Tour starting July 4, where Salak is expected to focus fully on steering the Chargers toward a breakthrough into the league’s upper tier.

     

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  • Tina Salak urges focus as Akari rides emotional high into Creamline semifinals clash

    Tina Salak urges focus as Akari rides emotional high into Creamline semifinals clash

    Akari’s breakthrough victory over Choco Mucho in the PVL All-Filipino Conference play-in round left the team buzzing with adrenaline, but head coach Tina Salak is determined to keep her squad grounded.

     

    The Chargers survived a grueling five-set thriller, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16, 15-25, 21-19, on March 28 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, a win that punched their ticket to a play-in duel with powerhouse Creamline for a semifinals berth.

     

    Despite the euphoria, Salak emphasized the need for her players to reset, both physically and mentally, before the next challenge. “Hindi kami pwede mag-settle lang,” she said. “Ito yung naging result namin [against Choco Mucho]. It’s a win, yes, but, we have to work hard kasi ‘yung next step namin is semifinals. Ang main goal naman is to go on top.”

     

    The veteran mentor also acknowledged the importance of rest and regaining focus ahead of their April 7 showdown at the Filoil Centre in San Juan. 

     

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    “May rest naman sila. May rest period. Kailangan lang ulit namin makakuha ng inspiration and then para maka-refresh na ‘yung mindset namin towards Creamline,” Salak explained.

     

    Even in the most tense moments, the coach’s confidence in her squad never wavered. “Hindi ako pwede sumuko sa kanila kasi sila lumalaban para sa amin. Marami pang ganitong mangyayari,” she said, underscoring the team’s resilience and unity on the court.

     

    Salak also highlighted the team’s ability to stay connected despite occasional miscommunication during the match. “Although may mga instances na hindi kami nagkakaintindihan, pinipili pa rin namin mag-stick together,” she noted.

     

    With the play-in clash looming, Akari now shifts its attention to Creamline, ready to channel the momentum from their emotional victory into a statement performance that could secure their place in the semifinals.

     

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  • Tina Salak credits bench for powering Akari Chargers’ recent winning run

    Tina Salak credits bench for powering Akari Chargers’ recent winning run

    The Akari Chargers are proving that depth matters just as much as star power. After a rocky start in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, the team has surged to three consecutive wins, fueled not only by strong starters but also by an increasingly influential bench.


    Head coach Tina Salak emphasized the role of her supporting cast in stabilizing the team’s performance, pointing to the defensive structure that has become a hallmark of the Chargers’ recent victories. 

     

    “Sa training, binabalik namin lagi na kailangan namin yung bench sa game. And then, kailangan natin itiwala kasi ‘pag sa training lang natin ginagawa, hindi rin nila makikita yung support,” Salak said. 

     

    Her message resonated on the court as the Chargers overcame the Solar Spikers on Saturday, marking a critical turning point after an 0-3 start.

     

    Rookie Chen Tagaod led the charge off the bench, delivering 12 points and four excellent receptions, essentially filling the role of a starting outside hitter for three crucial sets. Her emergence highlights a growing pattern, that the Chargers are no longer relying solely on starters to dictate outcomes. 

     

    Veteran reserves like Jaja Villena and Jyne Sorreno also contributed meaningful minutes, stepping in seamlessly when the team needed coverage due to health or rotation adjustments.

     

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    Salak’s strategic approach extends beyond just rotations. By consistently integrating bench players into high-pressure drills during practice, she’s fostering trust and cohesion across the roster. 

     

    “Mas masaya kasi magkakaroon na kami ng tamang timpla. Isa rin yung bench namin. Magkakaroon na rin ng identity kasi ‘yun ang pinaka-main factor ng ginagawa namin sa training,” Salak explained, underscoring the philosophy that a team’s identity isn’t limited to its starters.

     

    The Chargers’ current streak has brought them to an even 3-3 record, a stark contrast to their opening slump, and keeps them firmly in contention for a top-four finish in the qualifying round. 

     

    The turnaround highlights the importance of a balanced roster and demonstrates how thoughtful coaching and player development can reverse a team’s fortunes mid-conference.

     

    Akari’s defensive system has become increasingly effective under Salak’s guidance, with disciplined floor coverage and strategic blocking disrupting opponents’ rhythm. 

     

    Combined with the bench stepping up, the Chargers now present a more versatile and unpredictable threat, signaling that they may be peaking at just the right time as the season reaches its critical stretch.

     

    With momentum on their side and a deepened rotation, the Akari Chargers are emerging not just as a team capable of winning games, but as a squad with a collective identity, where every player, starter or substitute can contribute to sustained success.

     

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  • Tina Salak embraces lessons from losses as Akari secures first All-Filipino win

    Tina Salak embraces lessons from losses as Akari secures first All-Filipino win

    Tina Salak is facing one of the sternest tests of her young coaching career, navigating a difficult start to the 2026 season while steering two programs in separate competitions — the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League and Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

     

    Balancing dual coaching responsibilities is demanding under any circumstances. Doing so amid a string of losses only heightens the pressure.

     

    Salak saw her two squads combine for just one win through her first six games at the helm this season. The early struggles tested both systems and morale, particularly for the Chargers, who opened their 2026 All-Filipino Conference campaign in a slump. But on Tuesday, February 24, relief finally came.

     

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    Akari snapped its skid in emphatic fashion, defeating the Nxled Chameleons, 25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 25-22, at the FilOil Centre. The four-set victory not only marked the Chargers’ first win of the conference, but also ended Salak’s personal losing streak across both the professional and collegiate ranks.

     

    For the 49-year-old tactician, the win was a welcome breakthrough — but not a moment for complacency.

     

    “‘Yung mindset ko kasi iba. Kung talo, talo. Accountable kami sa mga talo. Pero naniniwala akong kahit natalo kami, marami kaming nagiging takeaways du’n sa mga talo. We learn sa 0-3 start namin dito and du’n sa UAAP,” Salak said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    True to her reputation as one of Philippine volleyball’s most respected figures, Salak emphasized responsibility over excuses. Rather than dwell on the setbacks, she framed the early-season turbulence as part of a longer developmental process for both teams — one that demands patience, resilience, and trust.

    The former national team stalwart understands that rebuilding chemistry and refining systems take time, especially when working with a mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talents. With FEU competing in the high-intensity UAAP environment and Akari battling seasoned PVL squads, the learning curve has been steep.

     

    Still, Salak remains unwavering in her belief in her players.

     

    “I believe kasi du’n sa mga players ko. Hindi ako pwedeng bumitaw para sa kanila. Nandu’n ako para sa kanila, hindi ako pwedeng bumitaw ako. Diretso lang, diretso lang nang diretso,” she added.

     

    Her words reflect a leadership style rooted in steadiness and presence. Beyond crafting rotations and in-game adjustments, Salak has taken on the role of mentor — guiding her athletes through adversity, reinforcing confidence, and instilling accountability within the locker room.

     

    Against Nxled, that faith translated into sharper execution and improved composure in key stretches. Akari controlled the tempo early, survived a third-set hiccup, and regained focus in the fourth behind disciplined floor defense and timely attacks. More importantly, the Chargers showed poise — a trait that had eluded them during their skid.

     

    The breakthrough victory could serve as a turning point as Akari seeks to climb the standings in the All-Filipino Conference. Momentum, after all, can be fragile in a tournament as competitive as the PVL, and sustaining it will be the next challenge.

     

    Salak and the Chargers will have little time to celebrate, with a sterner test looming against the Cignal Super Spikers on Saturday, February 28, once again at the FilOil Centre. The matchup offers an opportunity not only to build on their first win, but also to demonstrate tangible growth from the hard lessons of their early-season setbacks.

     

    For Salak, the mission remains clear: stay the course, trust the process, and keep moving forward — “diretso lang nang diretso.”

     

     

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