By NIKOLE JAVIER 

Under the watch of the debuting head coach and legendary setter Tina Salak, sophomore playmaker Tin Ubaldo helped Far Eastern University end its 11-game losing skid in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament.

The Lady Tamaraws recovered from a second-set stumble to open their campaign this season after finishing at the bottom with their lone win last year. 

But Ubaldo had to live up to her billing as early as she possibly could and responded to what is expected of her, with Salak at the helm as a two-time UAAP champion herself.

“Medyo may pressure po kasi nga legendary. Pero sa training naman po lahat po ng alam ni coach pinapasa niya sa amin. Medyo mabigat iyong pressure pero habang tumatagal nao-overcome na po namin,” said Ubaldo who finished with 16 excellent sets apart from five points off three attacks and two blocks in their four-set victory over University of the Philippines on Sunday, Feb. 26. 

Salak, who took the coaching reign for her alma mater's women's volleyball team last year, has been patient with Ubaldo’s progress as the team’s starting setter among three other options from their program. 

“Ang dami kong in-adjust. Ang laki ng in-adjust ko para mag-meet kami. Definitely doon sa meeting of expectations gusto may ina-eye ako for her na gusto ko ma-achieve. Pero since hindi niya pa kaya so ako 'yong naga-adjust to the certain point na kailangan ko bumaba para mag-meet kami. So intindihin ko iyong mga flaws niya not necessarily siya lang kasi apat 'yong setters namin. So dapat isa lang 'yong system nila. So mahirap pero kaya naman. Marami pang pwede pagdaanan,” said Salak.