Meneses UAAP photo
NUNS embraces Meneses’ system
AFTER the first full week of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, defending champion National University has fully embraced coach Sherwin Meneses’ successful system that resulted to Creamline’s dynastic rule in the Premier Volleyball League.
The Lady Bulldogs, who won the first two matches in straight sets fashion, were pushed to the limit for the first time this season on Sunday night.
But NU was cool and calculated as it calmly battled back from a 1-2 set deficit to beat Far Eastern University, 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8 and remain as the only undefeated team in the tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs were able put up the template of the Cool Smashers’ way to grind it out to victory.
“Lagi kung sinasabi sa kanila, kahit anong situation, one point at a time tayo. Kalimutan ninyo na yung five sets. Kalimutan ninyo na yung first three or four sets, basta one point. Yun ang talagang sinasabi ko palagi sa mga players,” said Meneses.
“Kapag nakaka-one point ka, makaka-score ka. Ganoon lang ang sinasabi ko sa kanila, lamang kami o lamang ang kalaban. Ganoon ang mindset lang kung paano ma-defend ang championship. So kapag ganoon ang mindset talagang easy, hindi basta-basta makaka-score siguro ang kalaban. Iyun ang gusto naming i-apply dito sa UAAP,” he added.
NU has been solid so far with Alyssa Solomon and reigning MVP Bella Belen, who are among the top five leading scorers, as well as Vange Alinsug, who is expected to lead the squad after this season and middle blockers Alexa Mata and Erin Pangilinan.
Then there’s Lams Lamina, the crafty Lady Bulldogs playmaker who currently leads the setting department, while Shaira Jardio is holding on her own against the league’s finest liberos.
NU will stake its undefeated record against 11-strong University of the East on Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs are wary of the Lady Warriors, who despite the lone winless team and a decimated roster prior to the start of the season, are getting praises behind heads up plays of Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, Riza Nogales and libero Ange Reyes.
Just like what is he doing for Creamline when it faces lower-ranked PVL foes, Meneses wanted NU to not rest its laurels against struggling opponents.
“Lagi ko nalang sinasabi na malakas man ang kalaban or hindi, nasa bottom, ‘yung ‘one point at a time’ lang ‘yung talagang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila. So, UE ‘yan, FEU, La Salle or kahit sino man, ayun ‘yung point, ‘yun lagi ‘yung reminders namin, reminders ko palagi sa team,” said Meneses.
“Talagang paghahandaan din talaga namin. Hindi naman importante kung sino ‘yung kalaban, eh. Ang importante, lalabanan mo sila nang maayos.”
