National University turned the page on its women’s volleyball program after Regine Diego was reportrdly appointed head coach for UAAP Season 88.
National University has officially turned the page in its women's volleyball program as Regine Diego is reportedly set to take the reins from Sherwin Meneses ahead of their UAAP Season 88 title defense.
A sudden head coaching change was first brought to light when Diego was present for the Shakey's Super League press conference on Wednesday, September 3.
Still, she was introduced as the team's assistant team manager during the event. Meneses was not present.
But later in the day, it was reported by Inquirer Sports that Meneses will be replaced by Diego.
Sherwin's departure was eventually confirmed through a Facebook post from Meneses’ wife, Nerissa, who clarified that he had only signed a one-year deal with NU during its Season 87 build-up.
"Just to set the record straight—[Sherwin] only signed a one-year contract with NU, which has now concluded," she wrote. "There is no issue or conflict with the NU management—he holds the institution and its leadership in the highest regard."
NU's school publication The National also reported the news.
The school itself though has yet to make the official announcement.
Nonetheless, Meneses’ single year at the helm was nothing short of successful.
He led NU to its third championship in four years, steering an Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen–powered squad to a golden repeat capped by a Finals sweep of La Salle.
The 43-year-old also guided the team to an SSL National Invitationals crown in July, before formally closing his NU chapter to focus on his role with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: NU champion coach Sherwin Meneses reflects on changing collegiate landscape]
The appointment of Diego, though, is more than just a stopgap—it’s a return to roots.
A familiar figure within NU, Diego first steered the NU-Nazareth Lady Bullpups during the pre-pandemic years, laying much of the foundation for the school’s pipeline of blue-chip recruits.
She later served as deputy to then-head coach Norman Miguel in 2019 and 2020, before a short stint as F2 Logistics head coach in the PVL.
[ALSO READ: ‘Hopefully a woman can be the last man standing this year,’ says Regine Diego on upcoming PVL season]
Diego now inherits a talented roster led by co-Finals MVP Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio, Arah Panique, Celine Marsh, and rookie Sam Cantada.
Still, Diego, who also once coached the national girls’ team, faces the tall order of sustaining NU’s golden run while molding the Lady Bulldogs for the future.
Her first test comes quickly with the SSL preseason tournament this September, where NU guns for a fourth straight crown before defending its UAAP title in Season 88.
"This is going to be our rebuilding era. Hindi naman pwedeng ikaw lagi 'yung on top, hindi naman ikaw yung expected mag win. We will just do our best and try to defend our title," she said during the SSL press conference.
[ALSO READ: UAAP champion NU Lady Bulldogs enter ‘rebuilding era’ as they chase preseason four-peat]
(With reports from Luisa Morales/One Sports Digital)