Sherwin Meneses, now at the helm as the Creamline head coach since taking over from the multi-titled mentor Tai Bundit in 2022, is just one win away from securing his fourth PVL championship.
While credit for the Cool Smashers' sustained success is often directed towards a stellar lineup led by Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza, the players themselves attribute much of their achievements to Meneses.
His often-unspoken calmness, composed demeanor, and light-hearted approach have created an atmosphere that allows Creamline to play freely and maintain 'good vibes' in every game.
READ: Led by Kyle Negrito, Creamline advances into the post-Jia de Guzman era
"We really appreciate si Coach (Sherwin Meneses) na talagang tinutulungan niya ‘yung buong team. ‘Yung tiwala rin kasi talaga ni coach ‘yung pinaka-importante. 'Kapag nataas mo, eh ’di okay. ‘Pag napadala mo sa setter, ang galing mo.’ Nakakatawa kasi si coach na sobrang composed niya at hindi mo siya makikita na galit or whatever. ‘Yung mga gestures niya, normal lang ‘yun," Carlos said.
"We really appreciate him na kahit nasaan pa ‘yung momentum, hindi niya kami ‘yung tipong [sasabihan ng] ‘anong ginagawa niyo?’ Siya mismo ‘yung pinagmumulan ng composure namin na ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-grateful kami at na-aappreciate namin sa kanya."
She added: "Tao lang naman din kami na napapagod, may times na hindi kami nag-tutugma lahat-lahat, pero never niya sinabi na ‘umayos kayo’ whatsoever. Tuloy lang. Very professional and technical pa rin. ‘Pag hindi mo nagawa, ganun talaga. At least nakikita niya na nag-tatry kami every game."
Valdez, the Cool Smashers captain, bared how Meneses' rather timid and soft-spoken personality strongly resonates within the squad.
"It’s really true na hindi sumisigaw si Coach Sherwin. Whenever he presses that timeout button, very technical ‘yung sinasabi niya sa amin. It helps our team na makapag-switch on agad kung ano ‘yung gagawin namin.
"Hindi man masyadong naririnig ‘yung boses ni Coach Sherwin sa iba, para sa’min sa team, sa Creamline, malakas na malakas po ‘yung impact nu’n para sa’min. Napaka-helpful po talaga. Mahihina lang ‘yun pero ‘yun ‘yung power ni Coach Sherwin," Valdez said.
A man of tactics and few words
From a four-year stint in the collegiate ranks to leading one of the most successful pro volleyball clubs, Meneses has always been a tactic-centric coach who lets his players walk the talk on the court.
"‘Yung personality ko, talagang nag-ccounter lang ako palagi kung ano ‘yung nangyayari sa game kasi ‘di mo naman makukuha talaga sa sigaw ‘yan eh.
"Nag-iisip lang ako palagi kung ano ‘yung nangyayaring sitwasyon na pwedeng makatulong sa mga players ko palagi. ‘Yun lang naman iniisip ko palagi — paano ako makakatulong sa players kasi sila ‘yung naglalaro. Hindi naman ako naglalaro," Meneses said.
"Du’n lang ako palagi pero minsan kinakabahan din, tao lang."
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