Eya Laure refused to let history repeat itself on Thursday night.
Laure battled through a minor back injury and returned in the fifth set to help Choco Mucho pull off a stunning 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13 victory over Creamline in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 27-year-old outside hitter, who joined the Flying Titans earlier this year, made a strong first impression in her first Choco Mucho-Creamline rivalry game on February 10. However, a nagging groin injury forced her out of that match, which the Flying Titans eventually lost, 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15.
“Siyempre, I think basta fifth set, ilalaban ko hanggang dulo. Kung anuman ang nararamdaman ko, hindi ko sasayangin ‘yung trust na ibibigay sa akin ng mga coaches ko, lalo kay Coach Dante (Alinsunurin),” said Laure.
“Lumilingon na siya kanina sa bench, kada lingon, ‘Nandito ako, coach, okay pa ako.’ Salamat at nabunot niya ako ulit noong fifth set,” she added.
Faced with another injury scare against the same opponent, Laure was determined to write a different ending. Despite the discomfort, she fought her way back onto the court in the deciding frame, where she scored six of her eight points to help Choco Mucho fend off Creamline.
The former PVL Best Outside Hitter accounted for four of the Flying Titans’ first six points in the fifth set, keeping her side within striking distance of the Cool Smashers.
She then played a key role in a crucial 5-0 run that gave Choco Mucho a commanding 14-11 lead, setting the stage for Caitlin Viray to deliver the match-clinching down-the-line attack.
(C) PVL Images
“Noong time na pinasok ako ni Coach Dante, sabi ko, ito ‘yung panahon na gusto kong makasama sila at makuha itong panalo na ito kasi tinrabaho talaga naming lahat,” said Laure.
“Kumbaga, ‘yung word na sinabi ni Coach Dante bago nitong game na ito ay ‘dominant.’ Naging dominant team kami ngayon. Lahat ng skills na puwede naming ibigay, lahat ng mga pinagtrabahuan namin under sa system ni Coach Dante, naipakita namin,” she added.
The Alas Pilipinas star also credited Jewel Encarnacion for stepping up and holding down the fort while she was sidelined, particularly after Laure sat out the second through fourth sets because of her back injury.
Encarnacion, who battled cramps in the fourth set, finished with 10 points and nine excellent receptions to earn Player of the Game honors for her all-around performance.
The victory kept the Flying Titans in the semifinals race, improving their record to 4-3.
“I think, first of all, malaking pasasalamat ko kay Jewel kasi sa mga panahon na hindi ko mabigay ang 100% na alam ko, nandun siya at nag-step up sakin. At siyempre sa mga teammates ko din na sumusuporta kahit nasa bench na pinapalakas loob ko.”
After finally getting to finish what she started against Creamline, Laure has just one more wish moving forward: to get through their next game without another injury scare.
“Siyempre masaya kasi…may sakit pa rin. Actually, ang goal ko naman next time wala namang sakit sa game na pag naglalaban kami,” Laure quipped.
