UST’s Eya Laure has been dazzling throughout the her guest player stint in the 2016 Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference. Still in high school, the younger of the Laure sisters has shined against the veterans of seniors action, displaying undeniable ready-for-primetime talent.
Just as impressive has been Laure’s fellow guest player and Junior Tigress Magi Mangulabnan. The latest of a long line of playmakers has stood out as her UST’s most reliable setter among more experienced members of the team.
Despite their stellar and consistent play, the pair of senior high schoolers was not enough to keep UST from skidding in their SVL campaign.
Having clinched their quarters stint early with two wins, the España-based spikers dumped their last three meetings, all against fellow UAAP teams and including their first match of the quarters against the National University Lady Bulldogs.
UST is now at 0-3 and left groping for answers.
The hole left by the absence of starting open hitters Cherry Rondina and Ej Laure has severely affected the team’s offense. The pair is participating in an invitational tournament in Thailand with club team Foton and will most likely not be back until the semifinals, if UST makes it that far.
“Regardless kung nandiyan sila [Rondina and Ej Laure], ‘yung consistency ng mga bata, wala pa. May isang action na nangyayari, sa susunod na galaw, doon sila naba-blangko,” said stern UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.
Nangyari na sa amin, natuto na kaya di na dapat maulit sa amin – ‘yun ang hinahanap namin sa kanila na naramdaman na nila, andoon na sa situwasyon na ‘yun. Sana naman sa susunod, maitama na nila.”
But the bigger problem has been the lack of contribution from the Tigresses. 
Eya Laure has led the Tigresses in scoring in four of their five matches. Against NU, she was the only Tigress who scored in double-digits.
Although the SVL lineup consists mostly of players from Team B, Reyes still expects a certain level of play from his seniors.
“Sabi ko nga, tulungan naman nila (seniors) yung mga bata kasi sila (seniors) ‘yung nagtatapon at ‘yung bata ang umiiskor. Bilang nakakatanda, makikipagsabayan ako doon o aangatan ko pa yung laro ng bata.
“Medyo kulang pa, lalo na yung mga team B o ‘yung iba pa na nag-UAAP, na kulang pa,” Reyes expressed.
However this league turns out, Reyes hopes his wards gain positive experience heading into their respective UAAP tournaments. Reyes heads both the UST Juniors and Seniors coaching.
“Naka-design para sa kanila ‘yung liga kaya ipakita nila kung ano ang meron sila. Pero I guess ‘di pa nila nailalabas kasi ‘di kami ganyan sa practice.
“Hindi ganyan ang galawan namin – mas intense. Siguro magsa-suffer muna kami ng ilang talo bago matuto pero ang tanong is hanggang kailan? Yun ang hinahanap namin,” Reyes closed.
UST tries to bury their losing streak when they face the San Sebastian Lady Stags on Wedenesday, 4 pm at the PhilSports Arena.
