Sherwin Meneses will serve a dual head coaching role with the Creamline Cool Smashers and the NU Lady Bulldogs.
The NU Lady Bulldogs will come into UAAP Season 87 with a huge chip on their shoulders.
Not only is it because they are the defending champions, but the Lady Bulldogs also snapped up the services of champion head coach Sherwin Meneses.
The Creamline Cool Smashers tactician is expected to bring his championship-winning ways with the talented NU squad led by Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
“Excited ako mag-coach sa NU. ‘Yung goal is naging goal ko na rin na ma-defend itong championship sa UAAP,” Meneses told One Sports.
“Mag-start kami ngayon sa training hanggang sa dumating ‘yung UAAP para ma-defend namin ‘yung title. Every day improvement nandiyan [and] hopefully maging successful kami pareho,” he added.
Meneses is no stranger to handling several superstars in one roster. The decorated tactician has made it work with the Cool Smashers, which features a roster full of superstars, en route to their historic grand slam last PVL season.
In his time with National University so far, Meneses has nothing but praises for his young team as they continue to adjust to his system.
The Lady Bulldogs, under the name Monolith Sky Risers, recently competed in the 2024 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship, earning valuable international experience after competing against some of the top teams in Asia for a sixth place finish.
NU even came close to a semifinals berth in the tournament, but just fell short against Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima QminC in a close five-set match in the quarterfinals.
All of these experiences will be crucial in the defending champions' build-up for Season 87, where the Lady Bulldogs will be the favorites to win the title once more.
“Napakabait naman ng mga player. Siyempre ‘yung time lang makakapagsabi about dun sa performance ng team,” said Meneses. “As of now naman, dine-develop namin ‘yung every day na ma-improve kasi champion team na rin ito.”
All eyes, of course, will be on Belen and Solomon, especially after their stint with Alas Pilipinas.
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But even with their superstar status already known, Meneses emphasized the NU duo’s willingness to continuously improve their game.
“Siyempre ‘yung maturity nila nandiyan naman kasi medyo highly skilled talaga sila [Belen and Solomon]. Nakapag-laro pa sila sa international [tournaments], member ng Alas pero napaka-down-to-earth din naman nila,” said Meneses.
“Gusto nila mag-improve everyday. Siguro buenas ako kasi may mga player kang ganun na napaka-competitive sa training,” he added.
NU is currently competing in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League where the squad will look to secure its first title under Meneses.