16 April 2019
By Angelli Ojastro
As the UAAP Women’s volleyball tournament continues, Eya Laure has yet to disappoint Coach Kung Fu Reyes, the UST community, and of course volleyball spectators.
Gunning for the rookie of the year award and probably this season’s talk of the town newbie, people are curious what’s more to know about Eya Laure? Well, worry no more because we’re listing down things fans probably don’t know about her!
She first fell in love with basketball
As the daughter of the renowned PBA player, Eddie Laure, it is no doubt that Eya eventually got hooked in the sport that his dad loves. She even played against more experienced player than her back in the day.
With her passion, talent, and words of encouragement from her dad, the young Eya didn’t even think of pursuing any sport aside from basketball. Her dad even told her that she might be the first Filipina to enter the WNBA.
“Sabi ni Daddy, ‘Galingan mo dyan. Someday, malay mo, mag-WNBA ka.’ Kaya hindi ko talaga inisip na mag-vo-volleyball ako.”
She was discovered while playing basketball
Good things sometimes happen in the most unexpected situation.
While Eya and her volleyball superstar sister EJ are shooting some hoops around Espana, former UST high head coach, Kung Fu Reyes accidentally saw her and realized that her agility and height might be applicable to volleyball as well.
After that, Eya started training with high school-ers and fell in love with the sport.
National Team Player
Before playing in the collegiate level, she was part of the 2017 Asian School Games alongside with players trying to make their way into the volleyverse as well like, Jolina Dela Cruz (DLSU), Vanie Gandler (ADMU), and Lycha Ebon (FEU).
She might be the next Tina Salak
If you haven’t been following Eya Laure’s career since high school, let us enlightened you. Coach Kung Fu was training her to become a setter. In fact, back in the Juniors league, she was awarded as the Best Setter.
She might be playing as one of UST’s strongest opposite hitter but Coach Kung Fu envisioned her as an offensive setter just like former FEU player and volleyball star, Tina Salak.
Her idol is Aiza Maizo
Aside from her sister playing volleyball, the sport grew a spot in her heart when her Lolo introduced it to her. And as an ultimate Lolo’s girl, Eya believed everything her grandfather said to her. Which is why when Ruperto Cruz (Eya’s Lolo) said back then that Aiza Maizo was the best player of UST Women’s Volleyball at the time, she immediately believed him.
“Lolo’s girl ako. Lahat ng mga sinasabi ng Lolo ko, pinaniniwalaan ko siya. Sabi niya, ‘Si Aiza Maizo. Siya yung pinaka-magaling sa UST.’ Tapos hinahanap-hanap namin yun for ilang days sa gym. Simula nun, nung nalaman ko na siya si Aiza Maizo, nanonood na ako ng training at games,” Laure said.
Vlogger
Aside from playing volleyball, Eya also has a creative and fun side. This young Tigress has a keen for video producing and starting out as a vlogger. She’s been featuring different topics in her Youtube channel such as make up tutorial, travels, and even her teammates.
That’s it for now! Let us know in the comment section if we missed out anything about our young Golden Tigress.
Follow the writer on Twitter: @thegreatangelli
