TO explain it all, National University (NU) head coach Sherwin Meneses is a 10-time Premier Volleyball League (PVL) champion.
Down by two sets to none, the Lady Bulldogs showed composure and came alive in the remaining frames to avoid what happened in Season 86, where the Lady Tamaraws erased their twice-to-beat advantage.
NU outlasted FEU in a grueling five-set match, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 17-15, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament to secure a spot in the Finals for fourth consecutive time.
With Meneses calling the shots for the Lady Bulldogs, the head tactician who also propelled Creamline to 10 titles in the PVL, now guns to lead NU to back-to-back titles.
Meneses noted that NU’s fighting spirit reminded him of Creamline, saying both teams are “dauntless” and refuse to back down.
“We are trying to implement our system, of course, it’s not that easy, and it’s not very polished yet. But in the game earlier … you can see, they are not giving up, just like Creamline. Of course, the competitiveness of NU is there, so we’re really thankful,” he said with relief after outlasting FEU in five sets.
“We were 0-2, and the good thing is that the players are headstrong. They did not quit. As a coach we always remind our players, and address the lapses in the game. We remind them to not look at the score. NU is a champion team also, they don’t quit easily. We are thankful that we recovered in the game,” he added.
With the Lady Tamaraws only needing one set to stretch the series, the Lady Bulldogs barked louder and pushed for a decider after escaping the tight third set, 25-23, and a dominant performance in the fourth frame, 25-14.
In the fifth set, both teams traded blows but reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen swung to loaded kills to finish the match.
Reaching the Finals for the first time in the collegiate level, Meneses kept his focus on his goal to help NU to defend the crown.
“The pressure is always there whenever you reach the Finals, and heading to the Finals, collegiate or pro, it feels the same. But of course, we hope to win. And the title defense is not yet over, and our goal is to win in the Finals,” he said.