Sheena Toring had no idea where she’d end up after the draft on Sunday, but as it turns out, she’s headed to one of the best teams in the PVL in the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Three-time UAAP champion Sheena Toring went into the 2025 PVL Draft on Sunday night with zero expectations, after playing sparingly in her final year with the NU Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87.
But fortunes favored Toring after she showed out in her combine performance as she was selected 12th overall in the draft, heading to 10-time PVL champion team Creamline Cool Smashers where she rejoins NU coach Sherwin Meneses.
One of just two picks for Creamline on Sunday, Toring was taken aback after being called upon by the Grand Slam champion team.
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“Sobrang kinabahan ako talaga, actually. Since actually kahapon 'di nga ako makatulog nang maayos kasi 'di ko talaga alam kung saan ako mapupunta. So ang in-expect ko lang talaga ngayon is to pakita lang, appearance lang tapos wala na 'kong masyadong expectation talaga,” she said.
Toring had to catch her breath after the surreal experience of being drafted by Creamline.
Now, taking the next step in her career still with Meneses, Toring is eager to join the championship calibre team to hopefully make her presence felt — especially at the net, with the likes of Bea de Leon and Pangs Panaga mentoring her in her position.
“So I'm really happy na nasa Creamline ako kasi knowing coach Sherwin nga, alam ko 'yung sistema niya. So big advantage 'yon para sa 'kin. So wala na 'ko masyadong changes po.” she said.
“So excited din po ako makipag-training sa mga professional players, sina ate Alyssa [Valdez], sila ate Michele Gumabao po, and 'yun lang po.”
Even as a rookie, Toring goes into Creamline with a wealth of championship experience on her own — playing a very successful career with the Lady Bulldogs.
But with the bigger challenge of keeping up with older, more experienced teammates, Toring is ready to rise to the occasion.
“I think again, big expectation talaga na 'pag champion team Creamline. So ako kung ano 'yung i-improve ko pa, so I hope kung ano 'yung kulang sa Creamline, ita-try kong i-fill up po,” said Toring.
Toring is joined by UP’s Nica Celis as Creamline’s pick on Sunday. The Cool Smashers participated only in the first two rounds of rookie draft.