NU coach Sherwin Meneses relishes first collegiate title
PVL multi-time champion mentor Sherwin Meneses has further decorated his coaching resume in volleyball.
After leading the Creamline Cool Smashers to the league's first Grand Slam in 2024, the 42-year-old Meneses has not shown signs of slowing down in mentoring generational talents since joining the coaching circle in Philippine volleyball.
Meneses became the shot-caller of his alma mater, Adamson University, from 2012 to 2016 which saw him bring the Lady Falcons to the Final Four twice. ?
He then took his next act to the NCAA men's volleyball program for Arellano University, where he took the coaching reign for nearly a decade before becoming its team consultant this season. ?
Though the Chiefs have consistently seen action in the playoffs, Meneses has previously never managed to make it past a runner-up finish (Season 93) in the collegiate rank.
After inheriting a stacked Lady Bulldogs side captained by record-tying three-time MVP Bella Belen, Meneses is looking to make it another sustained success for himself and the school, even after the departure of its prized players.
'Sobrang saya [to achieve my first title in the colleagiate]. Nandito sa stage na naglalaro sa finals. Thankful ako sa players ng NU kasi first title ko nga to sa UAAP. May chemistry na nabuo sa maikling panahon lang. Hopefully, magkaroon pa ng mga kasunod just like sa pro level,' Meneses said.
'Every training, every game, 'yun naman ang trabaho namin to guide these players. Basta pag binigyan ako ng trabaho, gagawin ko lahat ng makakaya ko,' he added.
With his diverse experience in handling volleyball teams, one thing that recently stood out for Meneses in the collegiate level was the elaborate process of recruitment, which he deemed will be crucial for next season's campaign.
'Ibang-iba 'yung mga players ngayon. Starting from recruitment pa lang, kailangan ka na mag-focus. 'Yun ang labanan ngayon. [Key ang recruitment for the team for future success]. Napakahirap talaga pag school ang pinag-uusapan. Iba na ngayon. Let's see kung ano pa mangyayari sa susunod na taon,' he said.
Before the resumption of PVL, Meneses will have some time in his hands to oversee the Chiefs, who are hanging tough in the race to the Final Four of the NCAA Season 100 tournament.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
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