MENESES RELISHES FIRST UAAP CROWN

A 10-TIME champ in the Premier Volleyball League, seven times as head coach of the Creamline Cool Smashers, Sherwin Meneses is now also a champion tactician in the best colle-giate volleyball league in the country.

Meneses clinched a breakthrough UAAP title, his first overall in the collegiate ranks, after the NU Lady Bulldogs dominated the De La Salle Lady Spikers, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, in Game 2 of the Season 87 women's Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

The Lady Bulldogs swept the best-of-3 series to clinch their second straight crown and third title in the last four seasons.

"Of course, I'm really happy — we made it to the Finals stage. I'm super thankful to the NU (National University) players, too, especially since this is my first UAAP title," said Meneses, who also coached the Arellano Chiefs in the NCAA men's division from 2009 to 2024.

"We were able to build our chemistry in such a short time, and that's what made it even more special. Hopefully, this won't be the last — not just in the pros, but here, too," added the Adamson standout, who beat the legendary Ramil De Jesus for his first UAAP crown.

Meneses, who also coached the Adamson Lady Falcons from 2012 to 2016, said there's really no secret about being a champion in both the professional and collegiate level.

The 42-year-old said he simply does his job.

"For me, there's nothing really. Every training, every game, that's just part of our job. We're here to guide the players," said Meneses.

"Whatever people say about us doesn't matter much; what's important is that when I'm given a task, I do it. Just being there for the team every day — that's what really matters. As for the rest, it's up to them."

Now, the challenge for Meneses is to keep the Lady Bulldogs at the top, and he said that recruitment will play a crucial role in doing that.

2025-05-17T16:17:43Z