NU Lady Bulldogs’ Sheena Toring during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals game against UST Tigresses. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sheena Toring has completed her unfinished business for National University after playing an instrumental role in the team’s UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals sweep of the University of Santo Tomas to capture the championship.
After missing the opportunity to finish last year’s Finals after suffering a knee injury when NU lost the crown to La Salle, Toring helped the Lady Bulldogs complete a successful title redemption while staying healthy.
“It feels satisfying because back in Season 84, I had a back injury. Then last season, I wasn’t able to finish the series because I injured my knee,” said Toring in Filipino after NU’s title-clinching 25-23, 23-25, 27-25, 25-18 win over UST in Game 2 at Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
“And now, thankfully Lord, He gave me strength and ended the series without any injuries. I’m really happy with this achievement that everyone is safe.”
Toring finished with 10 points including two aces as the Lady Bulldogs won their second championship in three seasons. She also scored 10 in Game 1, scattering six attacks, three blocks, and an ace in their 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 win on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The third-year middle blocker was the missing link in the elimination round, despite the NU’s sweep of Round 2 to finish on top with a 12-2 record.
But Toring proved to be reliable when NU played a do-or-die game against Far Eastern University in the Final Four.
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“Our mindset was to go all-out because we wanted it to be our last game [this season]. I don’t want to lose again like in the semis. It was traumatic. I had a slow start [in Game 2] but thankfully, I found a way to make up for my lapses starting in the third,” Toring said.
Toring’s showing proved that the Lady Bulldogs are not just about the troika of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, and Vange Alinsug.
“We know that the middle was the missing link in the first round so our coaches kept reminding us that we can’t rely alone on our wingers, the middles should step up, too,” Toring said.
“We worked hard for it because we wanted to prove that we’re not the team’s weakness and we can contribute. I’m so happy because we fought to get this championship.”