NU’s Bella Belen during the UAAP Season 87 volleyball press conference.–MARLO CUEETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The rich just got richer when PVL grand slam champion coach Sherwin Meneses joined the National University women’s volleyball program.
More than the championship pedigree of the most successful professional coach in the country, Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and the Lady Bulldogs had an opportunity to train with the 10-time titlist Creamline, led by former UAAP stars Alyssa Valdez, Bernadeth Pons, Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos, Michele Gumabao, Bea De Leon, Kyle Negrito, and Kyla Atienza.
“We had recent tuneups sa mga pro teams and some times nagkaka-joint training kami with Creamline. Malaking bagay siya for us kasi nakikita namin yung sistema ni coach Sherwin and kung ano pa yung pwede namin maadapt,” said Belen.
READ: UAAP: Bella Belen eyes last title shot with NU Lady Bulldogs
Seeing the Cool Smashers play like a well-oiled wrecking machine, the two-time UAAP MVP is inspired to keep learning from Meneses and his system.
“Nakaka-challenge din siya for us kasi yung Creamline champion team din siya and matagal si coach Sherwin doon naka 100 percent adapt na yung Creamline, so kami paunti unti namin siya pinupulido and kapag nakikita namin siyang ginagawa ng Creamline naa-amaze pa rin kami kasi may possibility na maging ganun kaganda yung galaw namin kapag pinatuloy namin yung pag master sa system,” Belen said.
Belen also relishes Meneses’ arrival last year as they played in international tournaments and also completed a historic ‘three-peat’ in the Shakey’s Super League.
“Marami na siyang experience. Champion coach po siya sabi nyo nga po. Yung bago lang namin natutunan is mas napadali sa amin yung paglalaro ng volleyball kumbaga madali na siya pero namulat kami na parang ay may pwede pa pa lang ikadali na hindi komplikado ang mga bagay na sa sobrang simple pwedeng ma-achieve ang mga gustong maachieve,” she said.
READ: Sherwin Meneses raring for UAAP return with NU unfazed by pressure
But having coach Meneses and working out with Creamline doesn’t guarantee instant success as Belen remains hungry for improvement with all the teams seeking to take down their emerging dynasty.
It will be Belen’s last dance in the UAAP and she hopes to complete a successful title defense this time.
Belen’s swan song kicks off with a marquee opening week duel when the Lady Bulldogs battle the La Salle Lady Spikers on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.