The Tigers duo is going strong.
Eya Laure found comfort and extra motivation in her old coach to power the Chery Tiggo Crossovers past the F2 Cargo Movers in five grueling sets, 27-25, 11-25, 17-25, 25-22, 15-10, securing the team’s semifinals spot in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.
Struggling early in the game, Laure dug deep to finish with 19 points, providing key points late in the game.
The PVL rookie admitted that the veteran Cargo Movers checked her well.
“Gusto ko talagang maka-contribute pero nung mga una-una, nakukuha nila mga palo ko. Kilalang-kilala nila paano ako pumalo,” Laure told reporters after the game.
What helped the heavy-hitting spiker was a familiar and calling presence on the sidelines.
“May isang set tumingin ako kay coach Kungfu (Reyes) kasi feel ko wala na akong nako-contribute kasi kahit sa service parang apat ata service error ko, lima. ‘Yung pag-asa nakikita ko kapag nakikita ko mukhang ito,” she said.
“Siya din talaga, sa kanya din ako sasandal kasi siya coach ko since dati pa. Kilala niya ako kung talagang bibigay ako o hindi. Sa mukhang ‘to, titingin lang ako ay may pag-asa pa.”
Reyes serving as deputy coach for the Crossovers will only do wonders for Laure’s confidence in the pro ranks. The two have been collaborating since Eya’s junior year, winning titles since Laure’s high school days.
That tandem will be crucial as Chery Tiggo guns for the franchise’s second PVL title.