EYA LAURE’S 12th year as a member of UST’s volleyball team ended in heartbreaking fashion after the DLSU Lady Spikers eliminated the Golden Tigresses in the Final Four of UAAP Season 85 on Wednesday, May 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
During the playing of the UST hymn after their defeat in four sets, the Golden Tigresses, particularly graduating players KC Galdones, Milena Alessandrini, and Maji Mangulabnan, were overcome with emotions.
But even though the atmosphere was filled with tears, Laure stood out with a cheery smile, even though her future with UST remained bleak.
(Photo by Marvin John F. Uy/ The Varsitarian)
“I have no regrets. Hindi ko pa rin masasabi na ‘I will end the run’ [at] hindi ko rin sinasabi na ‘I will extend’. As far as I am with UST right now, I am so happy, grateful, honored, and blessed kasi dito ako napunta,” she told the Varsitarian after the game.
Before Season 85, Laure had the opportunity to turn professional, but she opted to stay with the team, hoping to help UST win the volleyball championship that the Tigresses had been unable to secure for the past 13 years.
The Tigresses’ failure to advance to the finals in Season 85 marked the second consecutive year they missed the opportunity to do so. The team’s most recent appearance in the finals was during Laure’s freshman year in Season 81 when they fell short against the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
With an uncertain offseason ahead of her, Laure said her primary focus would be on recovery.
“Una, mag-focus sa recovery ko kasi knowing sila coach, hindi naman sila nagmamadali. Katulad last season, maraming pre-season tournaments na sasalihan yan for the rookies and sophomores para mas ma-mold pa at mas tumapang pa pagdating ng laro,” she said.
Although she was unable to put an end to the school’s championship drought, Laure’s remarkable career has made her an instant UST legend.
In the juniors division, Laure bagged numerous plums, including Rookie of the Year in Season 75, Best Setter in Season 76, Best Attacker in Season 77, Most Valuable Player title in Season 78, and Best Opposite Hitter in Seasons 79 and 80.
She helped the Junior Golden Tigresses win the title in Season 76.
Laure made a significant impact in her debut year in collegiate sports. She, along with her fellow UST legend Sisi Rondina, brought the Tigresses to the finals in Season 81, and she received both the Rookie of the Year and the 1st Best Outside Hitter awards.
During the shortened Season 82, Laure was a teammate with her elder sibling EJ, and the subsequent Season 83 was eventually canceled.
“I’m grateful for the coaches, for the community itself, for my teammates, and for the people around UST. ‘Yon talaga ang pinaka-hindi ko inexpect na mapapalapit ako sa university na ito. Pero sila mismo yung yumakap sa’kin at nag-mold sa’kin kung sino ako ngayon,” Laure said.
“Siguro, time will tell kung ano ‘yung para sa akin at ano yung [hindi]. Ayaw ko kasi magmadali. Gusto ko i-open lahat muna ng doors ngayon at makikinig ako,” she added.
