by YMANUEL ROXAS and SHAYNE LEE MACARAEG
GOLDEN TIGRESS Eya Laure decided to forego her final playing year in the collegiate level as she is set to turn professional after 12 years representing UST.
“Thank you, UST. Those are the words that will always come out of my mouth from the moment I set foot in this school until the moment I have to say goodbye to the school that accompanied me and never abandoned me no matter what happened,” Tigresses’ captain Laure wrote in a social media post on Thursday night, May 25.
“I will be forever your Captain Eya Laure. The person who will shout Go USTe with you all until the end,” she added.
The 24-year-old outside hitter considered staying for another year with the España-based squad but eventually decided to part ways with the team.
“That’s why up until the last minute, I wanted to find a way to play for one more year. It’s like I have broken up with thousands of people, and my heart is shattering into pieces. It hurts so much and it’s hard to say goodbye,” she said.
Laure, dubbed as the Queen Tigress, said she would miss the Thomasian chant and the ‘Sea of Yellow,’ stating that no one will surpass UST’s support.
“If it wasn’t for all of you [UST community], I might not be able to achieve my dreams,” she said.
“I promise, whatever journey I take, I will bring the love from all of you. There’s no goodbyes, just see you again.,” she added.
In her playing career donning the black, gold, and white, Laure bagged multiple individual awards, including the UAAP girl’s volleyball MVP, rookie of the year in the senior’s division, and the league’s top scorer in back-to-back seasons.
Meanwhile, along with the captain, middle blocker Imee Hernandez is also stepping into the professional ranks with three years playing eligibility left to spare.
There are talks circulating that Laure and Hernandez will play for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the Premier Volleyball League but they are not yet confirmed. F
