It has been a long while since EJ Laure basked in the glory of the UAAP, and she would be the first to admit that she misses it.
“Ang nasa isip ko lang talaga is excited ako ngayong UAAP,” said the Season 77 Rookie of the Year.
“Nami-miss ko talaga dito.”
But having been away for over two years, the 22-year-old Laure acknowledges that plenty has changed, ranging from her physique, to her capabilities, to even the level of play in the age-old league.
Fortunately, she has someone who will happily assist her every step of the way come Season 82.
“Excited lang ako makalaro kasama si Eya,” EJ said of her younger sister.
“Siyempre, masaya kasi nandiyan siya and may magga-guide sa akin kapag nagkakamali ako or may magsasabi sa akin kung anong kailangan kong gawin.
She then continued, “Kasi ‘yun naman kami ni Eya, na kapag may mali or may error kaming nagawa, siyempre sasabihan namin ang isa’t isa kung ano ‘yung kailangan naming gawin.”
As it turns out, there are also a few changes in the relationship between EJ and Eya.
“Noong high school kasi parang hindi naman kami gan’un ka-close. Parang away-away kami, ganyan, kasi magka-dorm kami,” Eya shared.
“Ngayon naman na sa college naman, parang nag-mature na kami pareho na super close namin. Nagsasabihan kami ng secrets namin o kaya parang nago-open up kami sa isa’t isa kung ano ‘yung mga hinanakit namin.”
Besides that, their role on the court has also changed.
Once feared as a lethal setter-spiker combination in the high school circuit when they delivered UST a title back in Season 76, the sisters have now embraced their calling cards as attackers for the Golden Tigresses especially with Eya’s ascent as one of the most potent outside hitters in the country.
And without a doubt, the sister act of UST will be laying it all on the line for that coveted collegiate championship.
“Basta ta-target lang muna namin na bumalik sa Final Four,” EJ asserted.
“Step by step lang.”
