Eya Laure finally returned in University of Santo Tomas’ 25-23, 23-25, 25-15, 25-12 victory over Far Eastern University, Saturday.
But don’t be confused, she did not miss a single game for the Golden Tigresses.
However, the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball first round top scorer was missing in action in UST’s last game against De La Salle University.
And against the Lady Tamaraws, the fire in Laure’s eyes are back, going for a game-high 19 points and more importantly, snapping UST’s two-game skid.
“Mindset ko siyempre, hindi ‘yun ‘yung mag dedefine ng sarili ko kung sino talaga ako, kasi ilang taon ako binuild nila coach Kungfu (Reyes), nila coach Ian (Fernandez) since high school.” said the 5-foot-10 star spiker on her bounce back game after a disappointing showing the previous match.
“‘Yung game na ‘yun, di yon mag dedefine kung sino si Eya Laure.”
So what really happened against the Lady Spikers last Thursday? The fiery scorer was silenced to just eight points.
Making matters worse, she did get her chances but just failed to capitalize on it. Laure went a poor 8-of-60 in her spiking attempt in UST’s 23-25, 17-25, 25-22, 8-25 defeat to DLSU.
The game before that, Laure made 14 points but was just 11-of-38 in her spikes as the Golden Tigresses fell to Ateneo de Manila University in straight sets, 20-25, 20-25, 20-25.
And forever a player’s coach, UST tactician Kungfu Reyes had a hand in rebuilding Laure’s confidence after those downer outings.
“‘Yung dalawang laro niyang yon, tapos na ‘yun, dalhin niya ‘yung learning. Nireremind ko lang kung ano ‘yung style niya,” said Reyes.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanya hindi puwedeng mawala ka, kasi nga ikaw ang Sisi at Eya ng team this time.”
Laure, who has been with Reyes since her junior days in UST High School, agreed and accepted the challenge.
And that paved the way for the Golden Tigresses’ return to the win column.
“‘Yun ‘yung tinatak ko sa utak ko na tama. Na hindi ako ‘to, hindi ako ‘yung Eya na nag laro for the past two games namin,” said Laure.
“Itong laro na ‘to kahit papaano consistent talagang nag reremind sa akin si coach Kung Fu, kaya naman siyempre sinasapuso at sinasaisip iyon.”
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