COACH Sherwin Meneses’ mantra with Creamline in the Philippine Volleyball League is also working wonders with the defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs in the 87th UAAP volleyball tournament.
Forced to work overtime by the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws over the weekend, the Lady Bulldogs fell back on their mentor’s tried and tested formula of taking it “one point at a time” to score a 25-15, 23-25, 24-26, 25-23, 15-8 win and remain the only unbeaten team at 3-0.
“Number 1, lagi ko lang sinasabi sa kanila na kahit anong situation, one point at a time lang tayo. Kalimutan n’yo na iyong five [sets], kalimutan n’yo na iyong first three sets or four sets, basta one point (at a time)’. ‘Yun iyong talagang sinasabi ko lagi sa mga players,” Meneses said.
“Ganun lang naman iyong lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, lamang kami o lamang iyong kalaban, dapat ganyan iyong mindset nang ma-defend talaga iyong championship. Pag ganun iyong mindset talagang hindi basta-basta makaka-score iyong kalaban, so iyon iyong gusto naming i-apply sa dito sa UAAP,” added Meneses of what he’s been preaching to the Cool Smashers.
He credited his senior players for their composure, especially when the Lady Tamaraws surged ahead after taking the hotly contested second and third sets.
“Expected ko naman talaga iyong FEU na talagang contender din talaga sila ngayon. Ready lang kami sa lahat ng situation na mangyayari, lamang kami or hindi, iyong composure dapat lagi lang nandiyan kasi talagang maraming teams talaga na gustong-gustong talunin iyong NU,” he said.
“Thankful ako sa mga players na naka-recover kami sa 2-1 down (sets). Senior talaga ‘yung nagdala sa team namin, nandiyan sila palagi sa mga crucial points na hinahanap ng team. So ayun, happy kami at nakarecover kami.”
The Lady Bulldogs return to action on Saturday when they clash with the University of the East Lady Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena, favored to book their fourth straight win.
Rather than looking at the record of their opponent, Meneses expressed confidence the blue-and-gold crew from Sampaloc will deliver with veterans Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug, and Lams Lamina leading the way.
“Lagi ko lang sinasabi na malakas man ang kalaban or nasa bottom, iyong one point at a time lang iyong talagang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila. So, UE man ‘yan, FEU, La Salle, or kahit sino man, ‘yun iyong point, iyon lagi iyong reminders namin, reminders ko sa palagi sa team. Talagang paghahandaan din talaga namin. Hindi naman importante kung sino iyong kalaban, ang importante lalabanan mo sila ng maayos,” Meneses said.
