Toring banners Lady Falcons in SSL pre-season tilt
Date Posted: September 15, 2023 at 02:58 PM
Lorene Toring is seen to be one of those who would take the helm for the Lady Falcons as the team continues to usher in a new era featuring a combination of upstarts and transferees.
The middle blocker recently finished her duty for the national team in the 22nd Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Thailand but was already representing Adamson along with Assistant Coach Leo Miranda in the press conference of the Shakey’s Super League 2023 Pre-Season Championships held in Malate, Manila, September 14.
Being one of the seniors in the young San Marcelino crew, Toring’s experiences is vital in leading her team to their best form, especially when they are set to go toe-to-toe with the best of the NCAA in their first three games of the tournament.
They are scheduled to face Arellano University for their opening salvo this September 17, Lyceum of the Philippines University on September 25 and San Beda University on October 1.
This batch of Lady Falcons coached by former Falcon spiker and Baby Lady Falcons coach JP Yude will feature SSL Invitationals best setter Angelica Alcantara, along with mainstays Lucille Almonte, Karen Verdeflor, Achik Juegos, Ishie Lalongisip, AA Adolfo, Mayang Nuique and Nikka Yandoc.
Also included are rookies from the Baby Lady Falcons program Athea Aposaga, Jao Cuenca, Eloi Aljibe, Red Bascon and Juris Manuel.
Transferees Barbie Jamili, Kym Rocha and Kamille Dionisio are also set to make their debut in blue and white along with former Lady Spiker Shai Ancheta who already played for AdU in the Invitationals.
A total of 10 NCAA teams and six UAAP teams will participate in the tournament.
De La Salle University and University of the Philippines begged off from the competition due to reasons that Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES) president Dr. Ian Laurel regarded as “truly valid.”
“The intention of this preseason is to prepare the teams from the UAAP and NCAA to play in their respective tournaments, which is the priority of their schools. So, for us, if there is a strong team out there, [they should] watch out because all these teams will be after [their] backs,” said Laurel.
“This will bring out their level, too. So, it’s indeed a responsibility but at the same time an honor to be trusted by the two most prestigious leagues, the oldest leagues of the country -- the NCAA and the UAAP.”
Also present in the event were Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., (SPAVI) president and CEO Vic Gregorio, general manager Jorge Concepcion, Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Fritz Gaston, Plus Network CEO Patricia Hizon and NCAA Management Committee Chairman Peter Cayco of Arellano University.
The tournament will implement the same rules it upheld last year where all players are required to be fielded by each team.
A single-round robin format will then be used, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout quarterfinals.
The remaining four teams will compete in a single-elimination semi-finals, which will eventually set up the bronze medal and championship matchups.
Other teams participating in the said tournament are reigning SSL and UAAP champs National University, NCAA titlist De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the East, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Jose Rizal University, Mapua University, Far Eastern University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, University of Perpetual Help and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
