The situation regarding Eya Laure and her status with Chery Tiggo remains uncertain, but team manager Aaron Velez shared that they are working toward a resolution before the start of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on November 9.
Velez disclosed this update during the league’s press conference for the six-month conference, which will run from November to May.
“Status lang namin ngayon kay Eya Laure it’s still under negotiation. Hopefully, we could actually resolve this amicably. Of course, we look after also yung welfare ni Eya and hopefully ma-resolve nga ito ng meet halfway for both parties,” Velez said.
He added, “Definitely, before the PVL starts, we want to resolve this also. This week most likely, kasi start na ng PVL November 9, so hopefully before November 9 meron nang mapag-ayusan.”
Multiple sources revealed two weeks ago that the explosive outside hitter requested a release from her contract, which the Crossovers granted.
However, a non-compete clause in Laure’s contract now restricts her from signing with another PVL team for up to one year.
Last October 22, Chery Tiggo officially bid farewell to EJ Laure and Buding Duremdes, who also departed from the team.
Velez acknowledged that this separation from their star player was not entirely mutual but still expressed hope for an amicable resolution that would allow both parties to move forward.
“I can’t really say yun nga na mutual kasi sa any breakup naman, talagang meron yan mga masalimuot na pinagdadaanan. Pero hopefully ma-resolve siya nang maayos,” Velez said.
According to Sherwin Malonzo, chairman of the PVL’s control committee, the 25-year-old Alas Pilipinas member can still join another club team after her contract issue is resolved – as long as she is not included in Chery Tiggo’s lineup for the upcoming conference.
Teams are allowed to add players to their rosters until January 17, although they cannot remove or change players once the conference begins on Saturday.
“I don’t know if you’re familiar, ine-encourage ko sana yung teams na if mag-eexpire yung contract this year, wag na i-lineup yung player because sa rules natin, you can add players, for this conference only, until January 17, but you cannot remove or change,” Malonzo explained.
“Kung hindi pa kayo sure sa player, wag niyo muna i-lineup. Sa case ni Eya, hindi siya normal, pre-termination. Sila na mag-usap, pero inencourage ko rin na wag na i-lineup until ma-resolve yung kanilang problema,” he added.
“Yes, pwede pa (maglaro sa ibang team), not only for Eya. There are teams nag-submit 10 lang sa lineup kasi may mga mag-eexpire na contract at under negotiation. Ang ano ko ay either ma-extend until the end of the conference or extend, renew, new contract. Or kung hindi na nga i-eextend or letting it die a natural death, ika nga, wag na nila i-lineup because of our regulations sa conference na to.”
