Perhaps toughness runs in the Laure DNA.
This time, UST rookie Eya Laure has been playing through pain in her knee and ankle in the lead-up to the Season 81 Finals.
In what could have been UST’s crowning moment, the younger Laure sustained a left ankle sprain and had to be carried off the court. She still came back to the match but was not the same, as Ateneo stayed hot through the finish.
By the end of the match, Laure was in tears as she hobbled off the court.
Laure then recalled the painful incident. The Season 81 Rookie of the Year could not believe it was happening in the biggest moment of her career.
Still, she was thankful that her father, former PBA player Eddie Laure, carried her off the court and helped treat her.
“Noong nilabas ako kanina, hindi ako makapaniwala na nilalabas ako kasi sabi ko sa sarili ko, kahit anong mangyari sa championship na ‘to gagawin ko talaga lahat. Noong kine-carry ako ni Daddy, sinasabi ko kay Daddy na babalik ako,” she said.
“Pinilit ko talaga na bumalik pero wala eh, kumapos din talaga. Ginawa na lahat ng pwedeng gawin sa akin pero wala, masakit nga. Sa susunod naman maasahan niyo, magpapagaling ako para sa Game Three.”
After guaranteeing a better performance in the winner-take-all Game Three, Laure pulls strength from everyone who supports her and UST.
“Maraming nagmo-motivate sa akin na pagsubok lang ‘to, na hindi dito natatapos eh. Kaya nga may Game Three pa ‘di ba? Para sa akin, pagsubok lang ‘to na dapat lagpasan para manalo; pagsubok lang ‘to na dapat malagpasan para makamit ‘yung gusto mong makuha. And for me naman, babangon at babangon talaga kami and hindi ako susuko ng ganun-ganon lang,” said Laure.
“May pain yes, pero hindi ko na rin iniisip ‘yung pain eh. Sinusubukan ko talaga. Ngayon, masakit talaga siya iyeyelo ko na lang siya.”
