NU hopes to absorb everything Sherwin Meneses has to offer as Alyssa Solomon and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs begin their UAAP title defense for Season 87 in mid-February.
It’s not every year that a champion team heads into their title defense under a new system, but that is exactly what's up with the NU Lady Bulldogs as they go into UAAP Season 87 now under the tutelage of Sherwin Meneses.
Coming off of a successful campaign last year, the Lady Bulldogs are under new management again with the addition of the multi-titled PVL coach, who now juggles his job with the Creamline Cool Smashers with his stint in NU.
Though already a veteran in her own right, NU’s Alyssa Solomon said that she’s been keen on learning everything that she can from Meneses. With a tougher challenge expected from the other teams this season, Solomon wants everything to go right for the Lady Bulldogs.
“Very exciting yung preparation namin since new system. Though, nung Shakey’s [Super League] medyo kinakapa pa rin namin so ngayon, pinupulido na namin yung sistema ni Coach She,” Solomon told One Sports during the UAAP Media Day.
Personally, Solomon said that she gains new knowledge from Meneses each and every time, even as she heads into her fourth year in the UAAP.
Armed by his experience in the pros and also the national team, Meneses poses as an important teacher for Solomon, and others in the NU team.
“Actually, every day marami parin akong natututunan sa kanya, mga bagong bagay na di ko natutunan dati na ngayon parang mas napapadali yung paglalaro ko sa volleyball so yun,” the reigning UAAP Finals MVP said.
“Very happy ako sa tinuturo ni Coach She samin.”
But of course, it’s not only just about the skills, as Solomon is also expected to step up to be one of the leaders on the team.
Scoring aside, there is much more she has to do for her Lady Bulldogs.
But with her fellow seniors and also the younger ones in the team helping her lead them in the right direction, there hasn’t been too much trouble for the 23-year-old.
“Pinapadali din naman ng lower batch namin yung trabaho namin as seniors kasi kapag may sinabi kami sa kanila na ganitong bagay, sumusunod naman agad so parang, walang nagiging problema,” she said.
Solomon and reigning MVP Bella Belen are among the top holdovers that will lead the Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87, along with the likes of Sheena Toring, Vange Alinsug, and Lams Lamina, among others.