For Eya Laure, UST's run to the finals comes as no surprise
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For Eya Laure, UST's run to the finals comes as no surprise
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 10, 2024 04:29 PM PHT
Chery Tiggo's Eya Laure (8) in action against Petro Gazz in their battle for bronze in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum, May 9, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News
Chery Tiggo's Eya Laure (8) in action against Petro Gazz in their battle for bronze in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum, May 9, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- Eya Laure will take no chances when she watches her beloved University of Santo Tomas (UST) play in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
MANILA -- Eya Laure will take no chances when she watches her beloved University of Santo Tomas (UST) play in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball finals on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
"Dadalhin ko ang trap card," Laure told ABS-CBN News last Tuesday, shortly after Chery Tiggo's practice in San Juan.
"Dadalhin ko ang trap card," Laure told ABS-CBN News last Tuesday, shortly after Chery Tiggo's practice in San Juan.
Laure is referring to the "Immunity Mother" Yu-Gi-Oh!-inspired card that she has shown more than once on social media. The card ostensibly "protects all her players from the supernatural, and once activated, will mother them always."
Laure is referring to the "Immunity Mother" Yu-Gi-Oh!-inspired card that she has shown more than once on social media. The card ostensibly "protects all her players from the supernatural, and once activated, will mother them always."
But trap card or no trap card, Laure has complete confidence that the Golden Tigresses can get the job done against National University (NU) in the finals, where they are now trying to win UST's first women's volleyball title since 2010.
But trap card or no trap card, Laure has complete confidence that the Golden Tigresses can get the job done against National University (NU) in the finals, where they are now trying to win UST's first women's volleyball title since 2010.
"Kumpiyansang kumpiyansa ako. Walang pagdadalawang isip 'to, as in. Kaya niyo 'yan," said Laure. "'Yung tingin ko talaga sa kanila, kayang-kaya nila."
"Kumpiyansang kumpiyansa ako. Walang pagdadalawang isip 'to, as in. Kaya niyo 'yan," said Laure. "'Yung tingin ko talaga sa kanila, kayang-kaya nila."
The Tigresses are in the finals for the first time since Season 81, where a team anchored by Laure and Sisi Rondina lost in three games to Ateneo de Manila University. They had made back-to-back Final 4 appearances in Seasons 84 and 85 with Laure leading their attack, but a podium finish eluded the "Queen Tigress" in her final two campaigns with UST.
The Tigresses are in the finals for the first time since Season 81, where a team anchored by Laure and Sisi Rondina lost in three games to Ateneo de Manila University. They had made back-to-back Final 4 appearances in Seasons 84 and 85 with Laure leading their attack, but a podium finish eluded the "Queen Tigress" in her final two campaigns with UST.
UST's youthful roster blew all expectations out of the water in Season 86, as they won their first eight matches and eventually secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4. There, they outlasted defending champion De La Salle University in a five-set thriller -- completing a three-game sweep of the Lady Spikers in the tournament.
UST's youthful roster blew all expectations out of the water in Season 86, as they won their first eight matches and eventually secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4. There, they outlasted defending champion De La Salle University in a five-set thriller -- completing a three-game sweep of the Lady Spikers in the tournament.
That the Tigresses made it all the way to the finals comes as no surprise to Laure, who was certain that she was leaving the team in a good place when she made her UST exit in May 2023 after over a decade of wearing the Black and Gold.
That the Tigresses made it all the way to the finals comes as no surprise to Laure, who was certain that she was leaving the team in a good place when she made her UST exit in May 2023 after over a decade of wearing the Black and Gold.
"Hindi ko sila iiwan kung alam kong hindi nila kaya pa. Nakita ko din 'yung potential ng mga bata, 'yung growth ng bawat isa and 'yung mindset," Laure explained.
"Hindi ko sila iiwan kung alam kong hindi nila kaya pa. Nakita ko din 'yung potential ng mga bata, 'yung growth ng bawat isa and 'yung mindset," Laure explained.
"Baka madaming mao-offend, pero hindi ako nagugulat na magfa-finals [sila], kasi nakita ko 'yung pag-uugali nila. Like sa training, kasi nakakasabay namin sila sa training. 'Yung fire nila, kahit ako dati nagte-training kami sa UST, parang naba-block nila ako, napuputo nila ako," she added.
"Baka madaming mao-offend, pero hindi ako nagugulat na magfa-finals [sila], kasi nakita ko 'yung pag-uugali nila. Like sa training, kasi nakakasabay namin sila sa training. 'Yung fire nila, kahit ako dati nagte-training kami sa UST, parang naba-block nila ako, napuputo nila ako," she added.
Laure said she is quick to reassure her former teammates in UST when they expressed doubts about themselves. She also believes that their strong performances in the preseason -- when they played without her -- bolstered their belief and confidence.
Laure said she is quick to reassure her former teammates in UST when they expressed doubts about themselves. She also believes that their strong performances in the preseason -- when they played without her -- bolstered their belief and confidence.
"Kaya talaga nila, matagal na," she stressed. "Sadyang kailangan lang talaga [na] … Alam mo 'yun, sa buhay natin, kailangan may mawala para malaman kung hanggang saan mo kaya."
"Kaya talaga nila, matagal na," she stressed. "Sadyang kailangan lang talaga [na] … Alam mo 'yun, sa buhay natin, kailangan may mawala para malaman kung hanggang saan mo kaya."
"'Pag nawala 'yung isang tao sa'yo, sometimes dun ka maggo-grow. Dun mo magri-realize 'yung strengths mo, dun mo makikita kung ano pa 'yung weakness mo, na kaya mo pa lang i-overcome kasi nawala 'tong tao na 'to ngayon," she added.
"'Pag nawala 'yung isang tao sa'yo, sometimes dun ka maggo-grow. Dun mo magri-realize 'yung strengths mo, dun mo makikita kung ano pa 'yung weakness mo, na kaya mo pa lang i-overcome kasi nawala 'tong tao na 'to ngayon," she added.
"So kailangan mong mag-level up. So I think, isa 'yon sa hindi pa nila nakita nung nandun ako, kasi nga nandun si Ate Eya."
"So kailangan mong mag-level up. So I think, isa 'yon sa hindi pa nila nakita nung nandun ako, kasi nga nandun si Ate Eya."
UST coach Kungfu Reyes gives Laure plenty of credit for how the Tigresses have stepped up when she graduated from the program. There had been plenty of pressure on UST's "support system" in Laure's final seasons, and Reyes admits that there were times that the players were not ready.
UST coach Kungfu Reyes gives Laure plenty of credit for how the Tigresses have stepped up when she graduated from the program. There had been plenty of pressure on UST's "support system" in Laure's final seasons, and Reyes admits that there were times that the players were not ready.
"Last season, 'yung responsibility na supposedly na halos mga ka-batch ni Eya, hindi nag-level up 'yung laro. Dahil siguro 'yung pandemic, natigil 'yung maturity na tinatawag," he explained.
"Last season, 'yung responsibility na supposedly na halos mga ka-batch ni Eya, hindi nag-level up 'yung laro. Dahil siguro 'yung pandemic, natigil 'yung maturity na tinatawag," he explained.
But another offseason of training and preparation is bearing fruit for the Tigresses now, and the players whom Laure mentored in her last year with UST have emerged as leaders -- players such as libero-captain Detdet Pepito, setter Cassie Carballo, and veterans Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado.
But another offseason of training and preparation is bearing fruit for the Tigresses now, and the players whom Laure mentored in her last year with UST have emerged as leaders -- players such as libero-captain Detdet Pepito, setter Cassie Carballo, and veterans Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado.
"'Yung core nung team na kasama ni Eya, 'yun 'yung umakyat. Di ba, sila 'yung nandiyan. I guess, what makes [it] different, I think 'yung legacy na naiwan ni Eya, marami siyang napasahan. Maraming naka-experience no'ng leadership, 'yung core values niya," said Reyes.
"'Yung core nung team na kasama ni Eya, 'yun 'yung umakyat. Di ba, sila 'yung nandiyan. I guess, what makes [it] different, I think 'yung legacy na naiwan ni Eya, marami siyang napasahan. Maraming naka-experience no'ng leadership, 'yung core values niya," said Reyes.
Laure is proud to see the growth of her teammates and she assures them of her support when they plunge into action against the Lady Bulldogs.
Laure is proud to see the growth of her teammates and she assures them of her support when they plunge into action against the Lady Bulldogs.
"Noong [Final 4 game], parang sabay ata kami naglaro. Tapos ang sabi nila, manood ako. Sabi ko, 'Hindi, sa finals na ako manonood.' Ganoon ako ka-confident sa kanila," she said. "Kasi ako, sa kinikilos nila, ay talaga, makikita mo talagang hungry sila, and I'm so happy talaga na nakatungtong ulit sila sa Finals after five years."
"Noong [Final 4 game], parang sabay ata kami naglaro. Tapos ang sabi nila, manood ako. Sabi ko, 'Hindi, sa finals na ako manonood.' Ganoon ako ka-confident sa kanila," she said. "Kasi ako, sa kinikilos nila, ay talaga, makikita mo talagang hungry sila, and I'm so happy talaga na nakatungtong ulit sila sa Finals after five years."
"Wala man ako, pero nandito naman kami, kasama ang UST community."
"Wala man ako, pero nandito naman kami, kasama ang UST community."
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UAAP
UAAP Season 86
UAAP volleyball
UST Golden Tigresses
NU Lady Bulldogs
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