Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres is ready to take on the challenge of joining the most storied and successful franchises in the PVL, the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Fil-Canadian Aleiah Torres is set to join the PVL's winningest team, the Creamline Cool Smashers.
Torres was selected by the Cool Smashers as the 12th pick in the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft on Monday night at Novotel Manila Araneta City in Cubao.
The 22-year-old libero, who has familial ties to Cavite and Tarlac, was born and raised by Filipino parents in Toronto, Canada. She impressed many during the two-day PVL Draft Combine, where she achieved 50 reps in the one-minute pushup and the fastest modified agility T-test time at 5.98 seconds.
[ALSO READ: Julia Coronel, Pierre Abellana, Aleiah Torres top skills tests in first-ever PVL Draft Combine]
A graduate of Brock University, Torres is eager to learn from Creamline's experienced group of liberos, including Kyla Atienza, Ella de Jesus, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity to be able to be a part of this team and be able to learn from other people who have been in winning situations, so hopefully, I can bring my talent, my skills to their team and hopefully add to their winning streak,” Torres told reporters after being drafted.
Coming from Canada, Torres already knows that she will be joining the biggest team in the league right now, along with one of the biggest fanbases in Philippine volleyball.
Despite the pressure, the Fil-Candian libero is embracing the opportunity to help the team out in any way she can.
“It’s definitely a really big fanbase and I’m really looking forward to meeting all the fans and being part of just like one big happy family,” said Torres.
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but like my coach back home in Canada said, pressure is privilege, so hopefully, I just get to hopefully enjoy this opportunity and deal with whatever comes my way,” she added.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Canadian libero Aleiah Torres offers ‘high IQ’ to whichever team selects her in inaugural PVL Draft]
As she makes her way to the PVL, Torres is also excited about having her family watch the games and see her play.
“A lot of my family here hasn’t been able to watch me play in Canada so it’s definitely a good opportunity for them to be able to watch me live and play professional volleyball here in the Philippines,” said Torres.
First up for Torres and the Cool Smashers will be the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Tuesday, July 16, as they highlight the opening day of the PVL 2024 Reinforced Conference.