A champion team now led by a champion coach — National University faces immense pressure and sky-high expectations heading into the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Sherwin Meneses, the mastermind behind seven of Creamline’s 10 Premier Volleyball League championships, returns to the UAAP after taking over as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs in August 2024.
Having thrived under pressure with the Cool Smashers, Meneses now embraces the same challenge at NU, which is coming off a title-winning season after defeating the University of Santo Tomas in the finals.
“Alam nyo naman yung UAAP, talagang sobrang gandang labanan. Lahat ng school nagre-represent sa school nila, so talagang excited ako na makabalik sa UAAP,” said Meneses, who previously coached the Adamson Lady Falcons from 2012 to 2016.
“Let’s see na lang kung maging maganda yung campaign ng NU. Siyempre, defending champion — lahat gusto talunin kami,” he added.
“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.”
The Lady Bulldogs’ title defense will be tested right away as they open their season against Ramil de Jesus and the De La Salle Lady Spikers on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
NU boasts a star-studded lineup led by two-time MVP Bella Belen, Season 86 Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon, and veteran setter Camilla Lamina. Also in the fold are key players Sheena Toring, Erin Pangilinan, Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio, and national team standout Arah Panique.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, La Salle, which dethroned NU in the Season 85 finals, will have to adjust after losing three key players to graduation: middle blocker Thea Gagate, setter Julia Coronel, and Maicah Larroza.
Despite this, the Lady Spikers remain a formidable squad, spearheaded by Angel Canino, Alleiah Malaluan, Shevana Laput, and Amie Provido.
“Siyempre excited. Yung pressure laging nandiyan, pero excited ako na first game is La Salle. Siyempre, 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 about his highly anticipated return to collegiate volleyball.
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. Siyempre, sila yung tumulong sa’kin 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,” he shared.
“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.”
