Sherwin Meneses experienced the full spectrum of emotions in just 24 hours — coaching Creamline in the PVL one night and leading National University in the UAAP the next.
On Saturday night, Meneses and the Cool Smashers were at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where their dominant 19-game winning streak — spanning six months and three conferences — finally came to an end at the hands of PLDT.
Despite rallying back from a 0-2 deficit to force a fifth set, Creamline ultimately fell to Savannah Davison and the determined High Speed Hitters, 28-30, 21-25, 25-23, 25-18, 14-16.
The loss denied them a sweep of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference preliminaries.
(C) PVL Images
“Siyempre kagabi, medyo… Actually, hindi naman sobrang pangit ng game namin. Talagang doon sa fifth set, may mga lapses lang,” Meneses admitted.
Less than 24 hours later, he was back on the sidelines — this time at the SM Mall of Asia Arena — making his debut as head coach of the NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Despite the quick turnaround, the PVL Grand Slam-winning coach had no trouble staying locked in. For him, at the end of the day, it’s all just volleyball.
“Yung about sa pag-focus naman sa game na ‘to, siyempre medyo same lang naman kasi volleyball pa rin naman yan eh. Kaso siyempre, iba lang yung players na iga-guide mo,” said Meneses, who last coached in the UAAP eight years ago.
Meneses wasted no time making his presence felt in the collegiate scene, leading NU to a commanding 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 victory over De La Salle University.
“Okay naman, kahit natalo kami kagabi, nakabawi ako ngayon so medyo naka-recover ng konti. Pero yung talo kahapon, hindi naman namin dinamdam masyado,” said the former Adamson University head coach.
It was undoubtedly a satisfying win for Meneses, especially after Creamline’s heartbreaking loss. But what made it even sweeter was that it came against the Lady Spikers.
“Siyempre La Salle yung makakalaban namin. Second, happy talaga ako kasi siyempre three straight sets kang nanalo, and siyempre yung mga players talagang nagre-respond kapag kinakausap mo,” he said.
“Masaya, masaya ako sa first game ko sa pagbalik ko sa UAAP. Yung mga veteran players namin, talagang nagtrabaho ngayon. Gustong-gusto talaga nilang manalo.”
