Now under decorated coach Sherwin Meneses NU hopes that its preseason success will turn into another UAAP women’s volleyball title.
Meneses returns to UAAP
SHERWIN Meneses, the architect behind seven of Creamline’s 10 Premier Volleyball League crowns, hopes that his return to the UAAP will be a successful one as National University sets in motion its women’s volleyball title defense this weekend.
After taking over as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs in August last year, Meneses immediately buckled down to work by steering the squad in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand the following month.
NU won an off-season championship, by beating La Salle last November.
The Lady Bulldogs, eyeing a third title in the last four seasons, will meet the Lady Spikers again in their season opener at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Having thrived under pressure with the Cool Smashers, Meneses now embraces the same challenge. NU defeated the University of Santo Tomas in the Finals last year.
Meneses, who previously coached Adamson from 2012 to 2016, is no stranger to UAAP and will inherit a deeply stacked squad which is tipped to win it all.
“Alam ninyo naman yung UAAP, talagang sobrang gandang labanan. Lahat ng school nagrerepresent sa school nila, so talagang excited ako na makabalik sa UAAP,” said Meneses after Creamline defeated Farm Fresh in the PVL Tuesday.
“Let’s see nalang kung maging maganda yung campaign ng NU. Syempre, defending champion—lahat gusto talunin kami. Yung pressure laging nandiyan pero lalabanan namin yun. May tiwala naman ako sa team ng NU. Senior team sila, so excited na for this week,” he added.
The Lady Bulldogs lost to La Salle in the Season 85 Finals in 2023 before the Jhocson-based side was able to complete its redemption season the following year.
NU boasts a star-studded lineup led by two-time MVP Bella Belen, Season 86 Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon, and veteran setter Camilla Lamina.
Arah Panique’s experience from playing in the Alas Pilipinas will also come into handy for the Lady Bulldogs, who also have vital cogs Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, Cham Maaya, Vange Alinsug, Abe Pono and Shaira Jardio.
Rookies Celine Marsh and IC Cepada from the highly-successful NUNS program are expected to make their debut for the Lady Bulldogs.
Despite having less than six months to implement his system, Meneses remains confident in NU’s ability to adapt, especially under the leadership of Belen and Solomon.
The duo’s maturity has been instrumental in easing Meneses’ transition with the Lady Bulldogs.
“Sobrang bait nila. Syempre, sila yung tumulong sakin na mapadali yung samahan sa NU. Napaka-vocal nila, especially Bella. Talagang malaking tulong siya kasi hindi naman basta-basta malalaman yung mga ugali ng players, pero si Bella talagang nakikipag-communicate sa amin sa mga coaches. So, naging madali yung chemistry ng team dahil vocal naman yung mga players at mababait talaga,” Meneses said.
“Maganda yung transition ng NU players sa akin, so hopefully, sa first game namin, maipakita na mas maganda yung laro ng NU. Let’s see sa Sunday—medyo maganda ang mga laban sa UAAP.”
For a Ramil de Jesus-mentored squad, expect the Lady Spikers to remain a formidable, as Angel Canino, Alleiah Malaluan, Shevana Laput and Em Provido are looking forward to bring the program back on top.
“Siyempre excited. Yung pressure laging nandiyan pero excited ako na first game is La Salle. Syempre, talagang contender din talaga yung La Salle. Every team naman, especially sa previous offseason, sila yung nakalaban namin. So, let’s see kung sino talaga yung nag-improve sa UAAP, from preseason to UAAP,” said Meneses.
