Lorene Toring, center, signs with Farm Fresh Foxies. Photo from Farm Fresh
MANILA, Philippines — Farm Fresh signed injured Lorene Toring, as Jolina Dela Cruz is expected to miss the first two conferences in the 2024 PVL season.
The Foxies welcomed the Adamson middle blocker, who suffered an ACL injury before the UAAP season, as she will no longer need to enter the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft in June.
“Additional height, power, and speed? YESSIR!” the team wrote. “Thank you for choosing us! We promise to be by you every step of the way in your recovery and beyond!”
Toring, who celebrated her 24th birthday on Saturday, said signing with the Foxies is the best birthday gift.
The young middle blocker was supposed to play her final year with Adamson this season but she injured her left knee in practice last January and underwent a successful surgery.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh assistant team manager Kiara Cruz bared that Dela Cruz will likely miss the first two conferences.
“I’m really setting it straight — Jolina won’t be able to play this conference,” Cruz said. “Of course, our priority is her health. Maybe the timeline for her comeback is the third conference of this year. I think by then, she’s cleared to play.”
Dela Cruz injured her knee in the latter part of the second All-Filipino Conference last year — F2 Logistics’ final tournament before disbanding.
Cruz said the Foxies are working together well with the eight other recruits, led by Caitlin Viray, who will lead the young crew of Trisha Tubu, Louie Romero, Kate Santiago, and Rizza Cruz.
“Surprisingly, they are quickly jelling together. It’s so easy for them since they have experiences with their pro teams and they just all knew each other’s experiences,” said the assistant manager. “Ate Caitlin and Tubu have been sharing their experiences and techniques. In that way, it’s easier for them, especially with our Japanese system.”
Farm Fresh begins its campaign against defending champion Creamline on Saturday next week at Smart Araneta Coliseum .