GAMES WEDNESDAY
(The Arena, San Juan)
9 a.m. – Ateneo vs. NU (M)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs. NU (W)
3 p.m. – UP vs. FEU (M)
5 p.m. – UP vs. FEU (W)
ALTHOUGH elated with his charges’ dominant opening game victory, National University coach Sherwin Meneses tempered expectations, saying the blue-and-gold crew faces a long and tough road in their bid to keep the crown in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
Over the weekend, the Lady Bulldogs showcased their champion form by humbling the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in straight sets 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena with skipper and reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen leading the way.
Meneses, the former coach of the multi-titled Creamline Cool Smashers, relished his comeback in the UAAP after nine years and was delighted with how the Lady Bulldogs performed.
“Excited talaga [coming into this game]. Siyempre, La Salle ‘yung makakalaban namin. Second, happy talaga ako kasi three straight sets ka nanalo and iyong mga players talagang nag-rerespond kapag kinakausap mo,” he said.
“Masaya, masaya ako sa first game ko sa pagbalik ko sa UAAP. Iyong mga veteran players namin talagang nag-trabaho ngayon. Gustong gusto nila talaga nilang Manalo,” he continued.
With the victory, the Lady Bulldogs joined the FEU Lady Tamaraws, Adamson Lady Falcons and UP Fighting Maroons in the early lead.
Meneses emphasized his role for the Lady Bulldogs – to level up their game and guide the team to the Promised Land.
“‘Yung sistema naman, tinutulungan lang ma-improve talaga iyong NU kasi talagang may sariling galing sila. Di lang kami nagsasawa na magsabi na meron pang ibang dapat gawin para maging mapadali ‘yung mga games. Tulong-tulong lang kami ng mga coaches na ma-improve,” he said.
“Iyong sistema lagi namang nandyan ‘yan. Time lang din talaga makakapagsabi kung talagang nagiging maganda o hindi pero ayun nga, nag-rerespond naman iyong mga players so happy kami at talagang iyong sistema kahit papaano is naa-apply.”
Meneses is hoping the Lady Bulldogs would focus on what’s in front of them, citing the challenging task of keeping their crown.
“Champion team na ang NU. Sinasabihan lang namin talaga na one point at a time lang kasi iyong champion, sinabi ko nga, past na iyon so talagang dapat trabahuhin iyong pagdefend ng crown, hindi basta-basta. So every time na makaka-one point kami, dumadali iyong pagdefend ng crown. So ganun lang muna ka-simple iyong target namin. Any opponent, nasa lower, nasa higher rank, one point at a time lang kami,” he said.
Up next for the team is the undermanned Ateneo Blue Eagles at The Arena in San Juan tomorrow, Wednesday.
