The UST community is praying that she returns next season.
When the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses bowed out in the UAAP Season 84 women's volleyball tournament last year, Eya Laure cried after the game. She was visibly hurt from the loss.
This year, Eya sang her final UST Hymn in UAAP Season 85 with her head held high. The Golden Tigresses captain said she's still happy despite their exit from the Final Four.
"Parehas man na 4th place pa rin kami, pero masasabi ko na better 'yung performance ng team," Laure said as she assessed UST's season after losing to the twice-to-beat De La Salle University Lady Spikers.
Laure can still play for UST in her final playing year next season. The heavy-hitting spiker, though, has yet to confirm her plans. Regardless of the 24-year-old's decision, she said she has full belief and confidence in the next generation of Tigresses.
"I think kung time na umalis naman ako sa university, alam naman nila kung anong gusto kong i-instill sa kanila as a player and as an individual: Kung paano magmahal 'yung UST at kung paano maglaro para sa UST kasi grabe 'yung balik talaga lalo sa system ni Coach KungFu (Reyes) na sobra akong pinagkatiwalaan for how many years," Laure cracked as she finished the sentence.
Laure, more than any player on the team, has spent most of her life in a Golden Tigress uniform under the tutelage of Reyes. So, it wasn't a surprise that she turned emotional speaking about her love of and for UST.
"Hindi ko 'yun bibitawan at talagang panghahawakan ko siya panghabangbuhay kasi malaking factor sa akin sila Coach KungFu and Coach Ian (Fernandez) na kung sino si Eya Laure ngayon, kung hindi dahil sa kanila."
Laure's decision is something all volleyball fans will surely wait for, and the UST community is hoping and praying that she would play out her final year.
(MDB)