‘The Queen Tiger” has signed off from University of Santo Tomas.
After a legendary 12-year run with Tigress volleyball program, Eya Laure has decided to start a new chapter.
The decorated outside hitter has bid UST farewell moments after best friend Imee Hernandez did so.
“Napakaraming nangyari sa loob ng labing dalawang taon na ‘yun. Inabot na ako ng K-12, pati pandemic dito ko na hinarap at nalagpasan. Napakaraming heartbreaks. Maraming beses na natalo sa games. At napakaraming lessons. Pero ang paborito ko sigurong natutunan ay kung paano magmahal. Dahil sa UST. Dahil sa Thomasian community. Dahil sa supporters ng team,” said the former UAAP girls’ and women’s Rookie of the Year.
“Mula sa mga utility at security guards, mga doctor at nurse sa UST. Professors. Classmates. Teammates, coaches, UST-IPEA, UST-CTHM, UST Graduate School hanggang sa mga Fathers of UST. Dahil po sa inyo natuto ako magmahal.”
The 24-year-old second-generation Tigress had wanted to stay for one more year since she could only give UST one title – the UAAP Season 76 girls’ championship.
“Kaya siguro up until the last minute, I wanted to find a way to play for one more year. Para akong nakikipag-break sa libu-libong tao and my heart is shattering into pieces. Ang sakit at ang hirap mag mapaalam,” she continued.
“Patawad dahil hindi ko naibigay yung championship na deserve niyo. But more than that, salamat. Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko sa sobrang laki ng pasasalamat na meron ako sa inyo.”
In her rookie year, Laure teamed up with Sisi Rondina, leading UST to the UAAP Season 81 Finals. However, their valiant attempt fell short against Ateneo de Manila University.
During UAAP Seasons 84 and 85, the Golden Tigresses made it to the Final Four but fell short.
Still, Laure feels grateful for the love and support she received in her stellar run in Espana.
“Salamat UST. Yun ang salita na lagi lalabas sa bibig ko simula ng pag tapak ko sa school na to hanggang sa moment na I have to say goodbye sa school na sinamahan ako at hindi din ako sinukuan kahit anong mangyare. Kundi dahil sainyo hindi ko siguro maabot ang mga pangarap ko,” she expressed.
“To the UST Community, salamat at pinakita niyo ulit sa amin ang Sea of Yellow. Walang makakapantay na suporta ang pinakita niyo at lakas ng mga sigaw niyo. Thank you kasi bumalik kayo at nagtiwala sa team. Sobrang mamimiss ko marinig ang ‘Go Uste!’ habang naglalaro. Kasama niyo na ako ngayon,” she continued.
“Lagi niyo akong pinupuri dahil sabi niyo mahal na mahal ko ang UST. Pero sana malaman niyo na kayo ang nagturo sa akin nun.”
Now, she and Hernandez will sign with a PVL team. And the announcement will come soon enough.
