NU Lady Bulldogs’ Sheena Toring during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four game against FEU Lady Tamaraws. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University coach Norman Miguel lauded Sheena Toring for picking the perfect time to find her groove late in the Lady Bulldogs’ UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball campaign.
Toring sustained her fine form and scattered six attacks, three blocks, and an ace to finish with 10 points as NU drew the first blood of the best-of-three Finals series on Saturday in front of 20,955 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I’m so happy for her because she wasn’t part of the starting six to start the season. But she’s willing to do her best and gave everything to earn her spot again and contribute to the team,” said Miguel in Filipino after the with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 win over UST.
In their do-or-die game against Far Eastern University in the Final Four, Toring threw a block party on her 23rd birthday, nailing six blocks to finish with 13 points for NU’s third straight trip to the finals.
Despite rising to the occasion in the past two games, Toring looks to to do more for the Lady Bulldogs in Game 2 when they try to reclaim the title they lost to La Salle last year and complete sweep UST on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Solomon and Toring on playing instrumental for NU in Game 1. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/QxGy36e0v0
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 11, 2024
“I’m happy but I need more improvement since I’m not yet confident with my performance. To be honest, I felt nervous in the game, earlier,” said the middle blocker in Filipino. “Regardless, it was a good team effort for us. We can do better next game and make sure that we won’t be complacent.”
READ: UAAP: Birthday girl Sheena Toring throws a block party in NU win
“I’m happy that I’ve been consistent since the semis. We’re hoping that our next game will be our last. We will try to end the series,” she added.
The Season 84 2nd Best Middle Blocker also overcame the ghost of her past at the Big Dome, a year after she suffered a series-ending knee injury in their Season 85 Finals series opener against La Salle.
“I’m thankful because my coaches helped me reach my top condition. And when you suffer from an injury, you have to work hard in strength and conditioning and be consistent in practice to bring out your best performance in games,” Toring said.
Toring, though, wished Angge Poyos well after the UST super rookie suffered an ankle injury after landing on her teammate Em Banagua in the second set and wasn’t able to return in Game 1.
“I felt nervous when Poyos [sustained an injury]. Get well soon,” said Toring as the Lady Bulldogs hope for injury-free games for the remainder of the series.