Fresh off NU's title run in UAAP Season 87, Sherwin Meneses knows a lot has changed in the collegiate scene since his last coaching stint in the league eight years ago.
After nearly a decade away from the UAAP sidelines, Sherwin Meneses has made a quiet but impactful return in the league as the new head coach of the NU Lady Bulldogs, bringing a wealth of experience from both collegiate and professional volleyball.
Meneses, who previously coached the Adamson Lady Falcons from 2012 to 2016 and served as an assistant with the Ateneo Blue Eagles in Season 78, has been tasked with guiding a powerhouse NU program.
And in just his first season with the Lady Bulldogs, Meneses steered the Jhocson-based squad to back-to-back UAAP titles after sweeping the DLSU Lady Spikers in Game 2.
Still, the Creamline Cool Smashers head coach downplayed any notions of personal accolades.
“Wala naman. Sa’kin naman every training, every game, talagang trabaho namin 'yun. Nandito lang kami para mag-guide sa mga players,” Meneses said during the championship press conference.
“Wala naman sa’min kung anong masabi nila. Basta pag binigyan ako ng trabaho, 'yun lang naman—every day na mapuntahan natin ‘yung team na hinahawakan natin. 'Yun naman 'yung pinaka-importante,” he added.
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Now eight years since his last head coaching stint in the UAAP, Meneses reflected on how the landscape has evolved, particularly in recruitment.
“That time kasi medyo matagal na 'yun eh, so ibang iba 'yung mga players ngayon. Talagang recruitment palang, kailangan ka na mag-focus. 'Yun 'yung labanan ngayon eh,” Meneses explained.
“Hopefully ngayong may players ang NU, mag-success sa mga susunod na taon. Before kasi talagang napakahirap, lalo na pagka school ang pinag-uusapan. So, sobrang iba na ngayon,” he added.
Luckily for Meneses, the Lady Bulldogs will not have any shortage of talent, even with the graduation of stars Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan.
[ALSO READ: What makes third UAAP title special for NU’s Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon?]
With a core led by Vange Alinsug, Lams Lamina, and Shaira Jardio, NU remains a top contender under his watchful and steady hand.
Expect the Lady Bulldogs also to add high school standouts from Nazareth School, who took home the UAAP crown in the girls’ division.