REIGNING champion National University is ready to put its best foot forward with new coach Sherwin Meneses when the 87th UAAP women’s tournament gets going this Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Leading the Lady Bulldogs in their title-retention bid are reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen and veterans Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring and Camila Lamina.
The architect of Creamline’s success in the PVL, Meneses, 42, who took over as NU coach last September, is bent on sustaining the team’s success.
“As of now, okay naman ‘yung adjustment ng team sasistemako. Magandaiyong transition ng NU players sa akin so hopefully, sa first game naminmaipakitana mas magandaiyonglaro ng NU. Maipakitanilana nag-improve silakahitpapaanokasisyemprenasa NU namanako para tumulonglangtalaga, ma-improve iyong team, champion team naiyan. As of now, okay naman. Let’s see sa Sunday kung magandaangmgalabansa UAAP,” said Meneses, referring to the team’s opening match against the La Salle Lady Spikers.
“Siyempre excited. Iyong pressure lagingnandiyanpero excited akona first game is La Salle. Talagang contender din talagaiyong La Salle. Every team naman, especially samga previous na off-season silaiyongnakalaban naming,” Meneses said of their coming game against the Ramil De Jesus-mentored Lady Spikers.
“So, let’s see kung sinotalaga ‘yung nag-improve sa UAAP, [from] pre-season to the UAAP.”
Meneses is making a comeback in the UAAP nine years after steering the Adamson Lady Falcons in 2016.
Meneses said all is well with the team, adding he wants to further elevate and develop the Lady Bulldogs.
“Lagikongsinasabisakanilana mag-improve every day, every training, so pag nag-i-improve napapagandaiyonglaro, nakakakuha ng panalo, nakakakuha ng championship. Wag langsilang mag-stop namatuto. Iyon ‘yunglagikongsinasabisa players, especially champion team din talagaiyong NU so iyonlanglagi, mag-improve palagi, mag-improve. So blessing kung manalo, mag-champion, perosiyempre school by school ito, lahat gusto taluninang NU,” said Meneses, who handled the Lady Bulldogs when they represented the country in the 2024 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand.
He also steered the blue-and-gold crew to a historic three-peat title in the Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship.
