Eya Laure has begun early training with the Alas Pilipinas program, marking her first step back toward competitive play ahead of the national team window this May.
Sidelined for nearly 10 months after parting ways with Chery Tiggo last year, Laure expressed her gratitude to the national team for welcoming her back early.
The opportunity allows her to work closely with head coach Jorge Souza de Brito and the rest of the coaching staff as she gradually returns to form.
“As of the moment, as you can see, wala pa po akong masyadong kasama — wala pala talaga akong kasama bukod sa mga coaches ko na talagang tini-train ako, kaya thankful din ako sa kanila and sa PNVF,” said Laure during the PNVF press launch for its official music partner and ambassador, held Tuesday at The Vault in BGC.
The former UST star is expected to rejoin Alas Pilipinas, which will resume full-team training after the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference in preparation for the AVC Challenge Cup, the Southeast Asian V.League, and the Southeast Asian Games.
“Ayun, looking forward din ako and naghihintay lang din ako ng updates sa mga gagawin naming training camps,” said Laure, who has been limited to personal workouts over the past months.
While waiting for her Alas Pilipinas teammates to return, Laure is shifting her focus to a new role as an ambassador for the Philippines’ hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship.
“Siyempre, it’s such an honor talaga na men’s world volleyball (championship) ‘yung ipo-promote ko rin talaga. Ibig sabihin best of the best talaga kaya sobrang saya nung nalaman ko. Siyempre magkakaroon din ako ng opportunity — lahat naman tayo — na mapanood ang world-class men’s volleyball dito sa Pilipinas,” said Laure.
Beyond playing, Laure hopes to encourage Filipino fans to support men’s volleyball as much as they do women’s, emphasizing the skill and talent of the country’s male athletes.
“Siyempre bukod sa naglalaro ako ng volleyball, siyempre para i-encourage ko rin sila na hindi lang women’s ang pwedeng suportahan kundi men’s din. Dahil may ibubuga talaga ang men’s volleyball at alam naman natin na basta Pilipino, talagang ipapakita ang best nila lalong lalo na kung Pilipinas ang dala,” she added.
Laure also urged fans to rally behind Alas Pilipinas Men in their upcoming world championship campaign. She expressed hope that the overwhelming support shown for Alas Pilipinas Women during the AVC Challenge Cup and FIVB Challenger Cup last year will carry over — if not increase — for the men’s team when they hit the court this September.
“Yes, of course. Since world championship na ‘to, sana bawat Pilipino kung ano ‘yung pinaramdam niyo sa women’s volleyball, sa Alas Pilipinas (Women), sana iparamdam din natin times ten sa men’s volleyball ngayong world championship,” said Laure.
“Dahil talaga alam ko maraming nakahanda sa kanilang programa, mga training camps, mga liga, in preparation for this league. Sana lahat ng mga hard work at sacrifices nila, sana masuklian natin by supporting and watching them.”
#WATCH: Eya Laure shares her pride as an ambassador for the FIVB Men’s World Championship and calls on the nation to rally behind the team 🇵🇭🏐
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#Sambansa pic.twitter.com/n5UiIhqD15
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 4, 2025
