Sherwin Meneses’ exodus from his alma mater Adamson University was ugly to say the least.
Due to constant internal pressure and disagreements within the team, Meneses had resigned from his head coaching post with the Adamson University Lady Falcons midway through UAAP Season 78.
A few weeks later, Meneses found a home, this time wearing the a different shade of blue, as he had been tapped as the assistant coach for the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.
A lot has changed since, for both Meneses and the Lady Falcons.
Due to unlikely circumstances, Meneses got to coach against his former team earlier today. With head coach Tai Bundit still in Thailand, the 34-year-old former Soaring Falcons setter took over and got a front seat as the Lady Eagles demolished the Lady Falcons.
In Meneses’ four seasons as Adamson’s mentor, the San Marcelino-based program reached the Final Four twice and were on the cusp of making the post-season in the other two years. When Meneses left, so did the team’s skipper Mylene Paat and several other recruits. And with the addition of injuries to some of their key players, the Lady Falcons looked far from the contenders that they used to be.
However, even given everything that happened between the two parties, it was still sad for Meneses to see his former team struggle, but he understands it was just part of the process.
“Siguro ganoon talaga kasi maraming bagong players, bago ‘yung coach. Maganda ‘yung pinakita nila laban sa amin, pero kinapos lang siguro talaga sila,” Meneses reflected.
Recognizing that opportunities rarely come in this highly-competitive field, Menseses asserted that he was all about business.
“Kahit dati kong team tapos alma mater ko pa, siyempre kailangan all-business pa rin ako kasi chance ko din ‘to. Wala naman na akong hard feelings sa nangyare sa akin sa Adamson. Naka-move on naman na ako. Kailangan eh,” Meneses added.
At 3-1, Meneses’ Lady Eagles look ripe for another Final Four push.
At 0-4, his former squad have a long way to go before contending with him.
