Former national team player Tina Salak had sage advice for first-year player Cla Loresco as the FEU middle blocker was included in Alas Pilipinas’ wishlist.
Tina Salak had nothing but words of encouragement for her FEU rookie Cla Loresco as the middle blocker found herself in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s (PNVF) wishlist for three upcoming competitions this year.
Despite focusing on FEU's bid in UAAP Season 87, Salak underscored the importance of such an opportunity as a national team call-up and how it reflects on a player in handling such.
A former national team player herself, Salak said that it was one of the best destinations for a player to find themselves in.
“Ang best advice ko sa kanya ay igrab niya yung opportunity. Because, hindi lahat nabibigyan ng opportunity na ma-lineup sa Alas or ma-call for invitation. Dahil maraming players ang nagho-hope,” said Salak after FEU’s four-set win over Ateneo.
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“Kasi ang best, as an athlete, as a coach, ang best place talaga na mapuntahan is national team — serving the country,” she added.
Salak, apart from being an icon in FEU volleyball, also made her mark with the national team. She was part of the 2005 SEA Games team that won bronze here in Manila.
For her, players should be willing to work out the kinks to be able to suit up for the national team, as well as their other responsibilities, especially as student-athletes that also still need to balance sport with their studies.
“Kung ano man 'yung magiging problema… It will take time na para ma-solusyonan. Hindi rin kasi madali. Balancing na national team ka and then nasa FEU program ka, and then an athlete. Meron ka talagang mamimiss… may mga chance na hindi mo nakakasama yung mga players mo,” admitted Salak.
“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, nae-express mo sa teammates mo. For me, grab lang nang grab kung ano 'yung meron. Hindi lahat nabibigay. 'Pag na-miss mo 'yung opportunity, that’s the end of it. Hindi na dadating sa 'yo.”
The young rookie showed just that in the four-set win over Adamson. Called in the final two sets, Loresco fired seven crucial points--including three blocks to seal the victory for FEU.
The rookie out of FEU Diliman said that she remains focused on the task at hand, but is also looking forward to taking on the challenge of proving herself.
“Knowing na nasama po ako sa wishlist for Alas, kailangan ko muna mag-focus sa UAAP and i-work on 'yung mga kailangan ko pa i-improve para din mag-prepare for tryout din,” she said.
Loresco joins the likes of NU’s Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Arah Panique, Vange Alinsug, and Lams Lamina, and La Salle’s Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Alleiah Malaluan, and Amie Provido, and Adamson’s Shaina Nitura among the collegiate players included in the 33-player wishlist.