After months away from the public eye and social media, Ej Laure made an appearance in Game Two of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses’ semifinal showdown in the PVL Collegiate Conference against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The 21-year-old open hitter made it known that she was targeting a return to the court for UAAP Season 81, which begins in February, next year.
Still on the mend from a right shoulder injury that caused her to sit out the entirety of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Laure told reporters that she is still strengthening her body to get full medical clearance after months out of action.
“Nag-strengthening pa lang ako and doing rehab kasi kailangan ko muna ng strengthening, kasi parang mahirap na bumalik agad-agad nang walang clearance ng doctor,” said the UST senior, adding that she had aggravated the injury before the team’s Season 80 Thailand training camp.
“Kasi before walang clearance pa ng doctor ‘yun na pwede na’ko bumalik kasi paalis pa lang kami (for) Thailand, so kailangan ko sumama agad doon. Parang this time, pinayagan na ako nila coach na mag-rehab muna para gumaling and para ‘di na bumalik ‘yung injury ko.”
Ej will not be the only Laure on the squad when she finally wears the black and gold again. Her younger sister Eya has been magnificent in her first run in the seniors division, powering the Tigresses to the PVL semis.
Reuniting with her younger sister, with whom she won the UAAP Season 76 Girls title, motivates Ej to focus on her getting back in shape.
“Siyempre, sobrang proud ako na kaya niyang makipag-sabayan kahit bago pa lang siya dito and parang ‘di na bago sa kanya,” said Ej about witnessing Eya play.
“Siyempre silang lahat parang lahat ng nagsasabi sakin na gusto na kaming makita back on court na magkasama, so parang mas namo-motivate pa ko na bilisan yung pagre-recover ko.”
