EJ Laure has decided to forego her last two years with University of Santo Tomas.
The UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year has signed with Chery Tiggo for the upcoming 2022 Premier Volleyball League season.
EJ’s father Eddie confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times.
“Yes (she is with Chery Tiggo na),” he told Tiebreaker Times. “Nasa practice siya ngayon with the team.”
By signing with a PVL club, the 5-foot-9 spiker will have to turn pro as the UAAP does not recognize the Games and Amusements Board’s special guest license.
This ends Laure’s almost eight-year stay in UST.
Back in UAAP Season 82, Laure returned to the Golden Tigresses after a two-year absence with the team. However, the tournament was cut short due to the ongoing pandemic.
Laure would have still been eligible to play in both Seasons 84 and 85 as she will just turn 25 on July 31.
This would also mark Laure’s return to the Foton franchise after playing with them from 2016-2020.
The defending Open Conference champions also stacked by picking up 5-foot-10 middle blocker Cza Carandang and 5-foot-8 spiker Roma Joy Doromal.
Both players entered free agency after Perlas took a leave of absence for the season.
When the Open Conference rolls around on March 16, Chery Tiggo will also have both Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Mylene Paat. Their campaigns with Nakhon Ratchasima in the Volleyball Thailand League would have ended by then.
