Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak gave her 18-year-old player Clarisse Loresco very sound advice as the young gun was included in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s wishlist for the national team.
Salak, who has represented the Philippines on the international stage multiple times in her illustrious career, urged Loresco to accept the invitation and make the most of it.
“Ang best advice ko sa kanya ay i-grab niya ‘yung opportunity because hindi lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na ma-lineup sa Alas or ma-call for invitation. Maraming players ang nagho-hope kasi ang best – as an athlete, as a coach – ang best place talaga na mapuntahan is national team and serving the country,” Salak said after FEU’s 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13 victory against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.
“Kasi ganon ako, galing ako sa military, medyo mabigat na hindi ka mag-serve, para tanggihan mo ‘yung country mo. Para sa akin, ito ‘yung opportunity na binigay sa ‘yo, i-grab mo.
Aside from being a volleyball coach, Salak served as a corporal in the Philippine Army. She led the Lady Tamaraws to a rare three-peat in the UAAP in the 90s before leading the Philippine Army volleyball teams to multiple championships in several leagues.
In 2005, Salak led the Philippine women’s volleyball team to a bronze finish in the Southeast Asian Games held in Manila.
She added, “Meron ka talagang mami-miss, meron ka talagang… may mga chance na hindi mo nakakasama ‘yung mga players mo. But, at the end of the day, ‘yung personal growth, ‘yun ‘yung iisipin mo kasi once na fulfill mo siya sa sarili mo, ang laki ng dream mo, ang laki ng contribution mo sa team. Experience mo sa national team, na-i-express mo sa mga teammates mo. For me, grab lang nang grab kung ano ‘yung meron. Hindi lahat nabibigay, but pag na-miss mo ‘yung opportunity, that’s the end of it. Hindi na dadating sa ‘yo.”
Loresco heeded Salak’s advice and said that she would make the most out of her opportunity with Alas Pilipinas.
“Super happy na sobrang laki ng supporta at tiwala nila sa akin. ‘Yung opportunity na ito, iga-grab ko talaga. Sabi nga ni Coach Tina, accept challenges lang talaga. Mahirap kung hindi mo ma-grab ‘yung opportunity,” she said after the game.
“Kagaya ng sinabi ko kanina, kailangan ko lang i-improve ‘yung sarili ko and alam ko na katulong ko na i-improve ‘yung sarili ko ‘yung FEU program.”
At the end of the day, Loresco’s immediate goal is to help the Lady Tamaraws in their UAAP campaign, especially since they have already secured a spot in the final four.
“Sa’kin po, knowing na nasama po ako sa wishlist for Alas, kailangan ko po muna mag-focus sa UAAP and i-work on po ‘yung mga kailangan ko pa i-improve para din po mag-prepare for tryout din po,” she ended.
The chosen player from the 33-person wishlist will compete for the Philippines in the 6th AVC Challenge Cup, the 5th Southeast Asian V.League, and the 33rd SEA Games.
