Adamson University uses the unfortunate knee injury that forced veteran Lorene Toring to miss her farewell year to fuel its redemption campaign in the coming University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
The veteran middle blocker underwent surgery on Wednesday after sustaining a right anterior cruciate ligament injury early last month during practice.
Despite the absence of the graduating star, who along with Lucille Almonte opted to stay following a mass exodus of players after a Final Four stint last year, the new-look Lady Falcons look promising heading into the collegiate wars exploding on 17 February.
Adamson, in fact, even went on to win the 2024 Akari Invitational Cup at the expense of professional club Akari, 25-19, 29-27, 21-25, 23-25, 15-9, on the same night Toring broke the news.
“The kids’ morale remains high. We can see that even after losing their Ate Lorene (Toring), they’re showing that they can still be competitive,” incoming first year Adamson head coach JP Yude said.
“I told them that we would be playing for her. That we would be her motivation to recover as quickly as possible.”
Toring, who was a member of the national team, slipped and hurt her knee last 6 January during training.
“Nobody wants that to happen. She just slipped during training while approaching for a jump and it was unfortunate that she got hurt at that scale,” Yude said.
“I guess the Lord has different plans for her. We know she’ll be a big help to us but what else can we do? We just have to find ways to adjust to her absence.”
The squad kept her condition under wraps before Toring herself announced it through her Facebook account.
“As much as I had hoped and dreamed of playing my last UAAP Season alongside with my teammates, I have come to accept that sometimes, God has different plans for us,” she wrote.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must share the news that an ACL injury has sidelined me for the foreseeable future. Though this setback may seem like an overwhelming obstacle, I choose to see it as an opportunity for growth.”
Recovery time as well as rehabilitation takes at least six to eight months.
“I am filled with a sense of peace, knowing that everything happens for a reason. Though the road ahead may be uncertain, I am confident that it will ultimately lead me to where I am meant to be,” Toring added.
The Lady Falcons finished third last season but were drained of their starting core following the shocking exit of head coach Jerry Yee.
Power-hitting rookie Trisha Tubu as well as veteran spiker Kate Santiago, Rizza Cruz, middle Aprylle Tagsip, libero Cae Lazo and ace setter Louie Romero bolted out of Adamson to turn pro and join Yee in Farm Fresh.
