Push Admin

UAAP: New FEU coach Refugia grateful for Tina Salak’s guidance

Article (news)

Rom Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/IMG_1159.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"></span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">Far Eastern University’s Manolo Refugia. <em>Photo from UAAP Media.</em></p><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Far Eastern University now has Manolo Refugia calling the shots for the Lady Tamaraws in UAAP Season 86.</p><div><br/></div><p>The new head coach of the Morayta-based squad was successful in his first official game as their mentor, with FEU putting up a sweep of the UP Fighting Maroons who are also led by their new tactician Oliver Almadro.</p><p>The player-turned-coach shared his experience while leading the Lady Tams to their three-set victory, admitting that he experienced a slew of emotions.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/2/18/uaap-lady-tams-sweep-maroons-to-spoil-almadro-s-up-debut-1556">UAAP: Lady Tams sweep Maroons to spoil Almadro’s UP debut</a></div><p>“Siguro same ‘yung feeling nung time ko na naglalaro, exciting siya,” Refugia told reporters at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday night.</p><p>“Pero mas iba ngayon kasi sa sidelines, more intense. Mas popular na ‘yung volleyball ngayon. Nakaka-overwhelm para sa mga players, sa lahat ng teams, masaya. Masaya yung feeling,” he continued.</p><p>He was appointed as FEU’s new coach after Tina Salak left the country to tie the know with her long-time partner, but Refugia is glad that Salak is now back with the squad to guide not only the team, but also him.</p><p>“Isang napaka-overwhelming bilang isang player na ma-coach ka ng isang Coach T. Napaka-fulfilling na ‘yun sa mga feelings ng bata,” he expressed.</p><p>“What more pa ‘yung isang coach na ma-coach ka, ma-guide ka ni Coach T papunta sa magandang sistema. Kung ano ‘yung nilo-look forward niya, ayun yung pinapasa niya sa’kin na tinatrabaho namin ng mga girls.”</p><p>Salak is an FEU legend, winning two UAAP championships while earning Most Valuable Player honors in 1995. A mainstay of the national team in her prime, Salak helped the Philippines win a bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games in 1995.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/13/22/feu-taps-tina-salak-as-new-womens-volleyball-coach">UAAP: FEU taps Tina Salak as new women&#x27;s volleyball coach</a></div><p>In Season 85, she steered a rebuilding FEU team to a 6-8 win-loss record, good for fifth in the league. However, she stepped down from her post in June 2023.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/16/23/tina-salak-steps-down-as-feu-coach-to-migrate-to-us">Tina Salak steps down as FEU coach to migrate to US</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/19/23/feu-setter-cherishes-chance-to-be-coached-by-tina-salak">UAAP: FEU setter cherishes chance to be coached by Tina Salak</a></div><p>FEU setter Tin Ubaldo and Gerzel Petallo also bared their sentiments on being under Refugia as well as welcoming back Salak.</p><p>“Super happy po, kasi nagawa namin yung pinagtetrainingan namin this past few weeks. Parang super excited ko po this season since nakabalik narin po si coach T tsaka excited rin po ako para kay coach Nols,” said Ubaldo, who finished with 14 excellent sets, seven points, and five digs.</p><p>“Yun nga umalis po si coach Tina, pero halos same system lang naman po si coach Nols sa kanya. Ayun nga po, gina-guide nya nga po si coach Nols kahit malayo po siya kaya parang hindi po kami nahihirapan mag-adjust masyado sa system. Tsaka ayun nga po, yung last year same system, this year better system,” she added.</p><p>Petallo, who led FEU in scoring with 16 points that were built on 12 attacks and four blocks, also shares the same feeling.</p><p>&quot;For me po siguro, it&#x27;s overwhelming. I know po na mas marami pa po kaming maipapakita kasi yun nga po, bagong sistema kay coach Nols, pero still nanjan pa ‘rin si coach T sa amin,” she said.</p><p>“For me po, it&#x27;s giving us assurance talaga like wala kami ikababahala kasi anjan sila. They&#x27;re [both] there for us. Alam ko kung may errors man, okay lang, bawi lang yun ganun kasi alam namin na anjan sila.&quot;</p><p>Refugia, however, is remaining grounded despite getting a win in his debut.</p><p>“Itong first game, magiging basehan namin. Parang buwelo papunta sa mga susunod pang games. So nate-test yung chemistry namin, yung pinag-trainingan namin ng ilang buwan,” he said.</p><p>“Yung relationship namin ng girls, from coaches to players, nate-test naman dito sa UAAP.”</p><p>RELATED VIDEO:</p><div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2964398"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

<p>Far Eastern University now has Manolo Refugia calling the shots for the Lady Tamaraws in UAAP Season 86.</p>

Far Eastern University now has Manolo Refugia calling the shots for the Lady Tamaraws in UAAP Season 86.