Chery Tiggo’s prized recruit, Eya Laure, was still all smiles despite suffering a losing debut at the hands of defending champion Creamline in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
Laure led the Crossovers with 14 points and 15 excellent receptions in their 25-22, 25-22, 25-17 loss to the Cool Smashers at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Tuesday night.
The former UST star admitted that she felt pressured heading into her debut but chose to shove it aside, knowing that it would only hinder her performance against the reigning Invitational champions.
“Ako naman masaya yun lang yung lalabas sa bibig ko kasi in-enjoy ko talaga. Merong pressure, may expectations pero kasi ‘pag ilalagay ko lang siya sa utak ko… Masaya ako e,” said Laure after the loss.
“Masaya ako na naglalaro ako na kasama yung teammates ko, andon ako sa system ng coaches,” she added.
The 24-year-old outside spiker also relished her reunion with her older sister, EJ, with whom she last played in the scrapped UAAP Season 82 women’s volleyball tournament in 2020.
Eya shared that being side by side with her sister on the court once again made her transition to the pros much easier.
“Masaya mas gumagaan yung trabaho. I mean ako alam ng ate ko yung standards ko sa sarili ko, yung expectations ko lalo na pag naglalaro. Playing with her again, parang mas napapagaan,” said the younger Laure.
“Kumbaga kahit naman wala si Ate sa loob ng court yung fact na nakakasama ko siya sa training, nakikita every day it’s a big factor for me na ok andito ulit yung ate ko kasama ko na ulit. I’m so happy lang talaga na supportive lahat sa amin as a group.”
