After years of playing on the same side of the net from high school to college at National University, Erin Pangilinan and Sheena Toring finally found themselves on opposite ends for the first time in their careers during the 2025 PVL On Tour.
Toring, now with Cignal, and Pangilinan, now with Creamline, faced each other in the professional ranks for the first time when the HD Spikers took on the Cool Smashers on Tuesday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The sixth overall pick by Cignal admitted she felt nervous facing not only Toring but also their former college coach, Sherwin Meneses, and the rest of Creamline — a team she had trained with before while still with the NU Lady Bulldogs.
(C) PVL Images
“Going up against Coach She [Meneses] and Sheena [Toring], siyempre nakakakaba rin at first kasi former coach at teammate, especially the rest of Creamline din kasi nakakasama ko sila sa training dati,” said Pangilinan after the HD Spikers’ 25-22, 25-18, 28-26 win over the Cool Smashers.
“Nakakakaba, at the same time, exciting na ganito na yung laruan sa pro. Parang sobrang happy ako na nakapag-perform ako nang maayos against them,” she added.
Toring, who was selected 12th overall by Creamline in the recent PVL Draft, shared that she was proud of how well Pangilinan has been playing so far in her pro debut. Pangilinan has taken on a dual role for Cignal and made an early impact in their first three games.
The 5-foot-10 middle blocker also praised their former NU teammate Pearl Denura, who went undrafted but was picked up by Cignal in free agency.
(C) PVL Images
“Medyo nanibago. At the same time, kung ano ‘yung nilalaro ni Erin [Pangilinan] sa NU, parang ganun ‘yung nilalaro niya sa Cignal. Nandun ‘yung pagiging competitive niya,” said Toring.
“Pati si ate Pearl [Denura] din, grabe ‘yung depensa niya kanina kaya na-challenge po talaga ako,” she added.
Pangilinan, who earned the upper hand in their first professional meeting, finished with three points as Cignal extended its unbeaten run to three games in the preseason tilt.
Meanwhile, Toring contributed four points off the bench for Creamline, which suffered its first loss of the tournament.
Now standing on opposite sides of the net, both Pangilinan and Toring couldn’t feel prouder of each other, having witnessed one another’s growth and dedication from their early years up to the professional stage.
