Cignal HD Spikers’ Erin Pangilinan during a PVL on Tour game against Creamline Cool Smashers. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Erin Pangilinan and Sheena Toring, National University teammates from high school to college, figured in their first-ever PVL duel during an on Tour game on Tuesday.
Pangilinan provided the much-needed spark off the bench as she helped Cignal sweep Creamline along with Toring and her NU coach Sherwin Meneses 25-22, 25-18, 28-26.
READ: PVL: Cignal posts rare win over Creamline for 3-0 start in preseason
“Going up against Coach She [Meneses] and Sheena [Toring], it was honestly nerve-wracking at first since they’re my former coach and teammate. It was the same with the rest of Creamline since NU used to train with them before,” said Pangilinan in Filipino after contributing three points.
“It was nerve-wracking, but at the same time, it was exciting to experience this level of play in the pros. I’m just really happy that I was able to perform well against them.”
Pangilinan returned to her original position in the middle after being converted to an opposite spiker in their first two games in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
READ: UAAP: Erin Pangilinan, Sheena Toring reap rewards of NU loyalty
“Whenever I’m given a challenge, I see it as an opportunity because that’s exactly why they picked me in the draft, because they need me, so I have to perform,” she said. “No matter what position I’m asked to play, I need to be ready because this is the role I wanted, and I have to be ready for it. I need to give 100 percent for the team.”
‘Bright future’
Cignal coach Shaq Delos Santos, whose team improved to Pool B-leading 3-0 record, said their sixth overall pick in the 2025 Rookie Draft has been jelling well with mainstays Gel Cayuna, Ishie Lalongisip, and Rose Doria-Aquino as well as fellow newcomers Erika Santos, Heather Guino-o and Tin Tiamzon
“The number one reason we picked her in the draft is because I knew the impact she could bring and how much she could help the team,” Delos Santos said in Filipino.
“We talk about her position during every training. After our last game in Vigan, I told Erin, ‘You’ll play middle, we need you there,’ because we know what we’re up against, especially with a team like Creamline, which you all know is really solid,” said
“We need to be ready, not just the starting six, but also the players who will rotate in. I also know there’s still so much she can improve on now that she’s in the pros. I’m sure she has a bright future ahead.”
Creamline Cool Smashers’ Sheena Toring during a PVL on Tour game. –PVL PHOTO
Toring, Creamline’s 12th overall pick in the draft, was thrilled to go up against Pangilinan as well as fellow NU product Pearl Denura, who was undrafted but signed by Cignal in free agency.
“It felt a bit different at first. But at the same time, the way Erin plays at NU is the same way she’s playing now at Cignal. Her competitiveness is really there,” said Toring in Filipino. “And even Ate Pearl [Denura], her defense earlier was really impressive, so it really challenged me.”
Toring, who had four points off the bench, vows to bounce back stronger after Creamlined absorbed its first defeat in three games in the preseason.
“I was disappointed because I really tried to contribute as a rookie, but there’s a lesson in this loss. We’ll take this as a lesson, and I hope we can improve more in the next game,” she said.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“I felt it was a missed opportunity because we could’ve pushed it to a fourth set. Cignal really fought hard, and they played well, so for us, we really need to bounce back.”
