Sheena Toring had long mapped out her next move: enter the Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft and take her game to the professional level. But one thing made her hit pause — the chance to help National University complete a historic back-to-back in the UAAP.
With the Lady Bulldogs successfully defending their crown in Season 87, Toring is finally ready to take the leap.
“Since last year pa, actually, gusto ko lang mag-grow, but 'yun nga, goal namin na back-to-back. At least, nakuha naman po namin, and graduate na rin po ako sa school. Wala na akong ibang gagawin sa NU. Tapos na po talaga 'ko,” shared the 5-foot-7 middle blocker, now among the 60 aspirants in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
For Toring, this moment is more than just a career step — it’s a culmination of years of dedication. From being a promising recruit out of NU-Nazareth School to becoming a championship-caliber anchor in college, her path has always been aligned with the dream of making it to the big league.
“Nilu-look forward ko 'yung pagiging professional na volleyball [player], kasi buong years ko na nagba-volleyball, ito 'yung pinakahihintay ko talaga, which is maglaro sa PVL,” she said.
Now 24, Toring knows the transition to the PVL won’t be easy. She’s ready to start from scratch and embrace the grind that comes with playing at the highest level of Philippine volleyball.
“Dito sa PVL, I think macha-challenge ako kasi 'di ko pa masasabi kung ano 'yung career ko sa PVL. So ayun lang, tiyaga lang tsaka back to zero nga po ako,” she admitted.
After years under the tight-knit NU system — from high school to college — Toring acknowledges that moving to a new environment is both nerve-wracking and thrilling. The idea of being surrounded by unfamiliar faces, adapting to new systems, and proving herself all over again is daunting, but she’s up for it.
“Actually kinakabahan nga ako. Actually, nung nagtingin-tingin sa ibang PVL teams, dun ko na-realize na parang iba talaga 'pag ibang coaches, ibang teammates, so sa akin, excited din naman po 'ko,” she shared.
But if there’s one thing Toring knows she can bring to any team that picks her, it’s her championship mentality.
“Yung championship experience ko from high school to college. 'Yun 'yung masasabi kong experience na madadala ko professionally.”
