Eya Laure has a game face.
Off the court, the incoming University of Santo Tomas freshman sports a vibrant smile highlighted by her bright eyes. But on the court, Laure channels her inner Tigress, complete with a growl and stare-down.
The former UAAP Girls’ Volleyball Most Valuable Player was at her best when the USTÂ Golden Tigresses clashed with the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference.
The encounter between the collegiate was turning heated, as both sides’ crowds got into numerous chanting bouts. The animosity eventually spilled into the court when Laure got into several staring contests with the Lady Maroons.
Without going into details, Laure said that these encounters across the net sparked her motivation.
“Kasi noong mga unang set din napansin ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako gaanong nakakatulong. So, sabi ko itong 3rd set po parang may isang point doon na hindi ko siya na-over, tapos parang nagpataas siya ng adrenaline ko na kahit rookie ako, hindi ako papayag na ganun-ganunin lang basta-basta,” said Laure, who imbibed her opponents’ ‘walang takot kahit kanino’ mantra.
“Ganun din turo sakin nila coach – na UST tayo hindi tayo papaapi basta-basta kahit sino pa ‘yan.”
The 5-foot-8 spiker finished with 18 points and pushed the Tigresses to their first win over a fellow UAAP squad. The former UAAP Juniors Best Attacker and Best Setter looks to continue improving and feeling out the college game.
“Kasi every game naman kailangan mo din talaga i-gain ‘yung confidence mo, lalo na kung nabibigyan ka ng setter mo o hindi.
“‘Pag minsan ka lang binibigyan nahihirapan ka i-gain, pero ako nung start nun ‘yung feeling ko hindi ako nakakapag-contribute sa team nung inisip ko ulit, ‘Bakit nga ba ako hindi nakaka-contribute?’ Kailangan kahit minsan lang ako bigyan ng setter kailangan tine-treasure ko ‘yun para maging point siya,” the 18-year-old expressed.
Today, Laure can go home, knowing full-well that she has earned the adulation of the intensely-loyal UST fanbase.
“Masarap ‘yung feeling kasi parang first time ko naranasan na ganun talaga na sobrang dami din,” said Laure, as the gallery of UST supporters erupted with chants of her name several times in the match.
“Masaya kasi sinisigaw nila ‘yung Eya na ‘yun na nasa UST ako, hindi ako nasa ibang school.”
