Her performances have gone unnoticed, but the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses’ Ej Laure has been one of the most consistent open hitters in the UAAP this season.
While the Golden Tigresses have shuffled players around, especially in big matches, the 19-year-old has stayed put and has often given UST the boost they need to stay within their opponents.
In their latest win against the University of the East, Laure played fewer minutes, as UST gave their bench playing time. But when the Tigresses needed points to seal a straight-set win, they went to Laure.
And, as she has done all season, Laure delivered.
“Nagkatinginan lang kami kanina, alam niya na ‘yung hinahanap ko sa kanya,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes, who has coached Laure since she was in the UST Juniors program.
“Importante ‘yung two-way process na ‘yun na nagkakaintindihan kami noong bata. When you need her most, lumalabas siya. She’s one of the third year players na talagang mino-mold namin.”
Laure, who has scored double-digits in five of UST’s eight matches, insists that her mentality has totally shifted now that she is one of the seniors on the team.
“Feel ko kasi ngayon na hindi na ako kinakabahan sa loob ng court. Nakatulong kasi na, diba mahina ako sa receive, nagagawan ko na siya ng paraan ngayon. Mas confident na ako sa skills ko,” the third-year Tomasina said.
UST are riding a four-game winning streak going into their Wednesday showdown against league-leading Ateneo de Manila University. The 5-foot-9 open spiker knows that her teams needs her production to topple the hottest team in the UAAP.
“Siyempre, very important sa amin na makuha ‘yung panalo na ‘yun. I know my teammates will give their best so ‘yun din ang ine-expect ko sa sarili ko,” she declared.
