Alyssa Valdez all praise for UST rookie EJ Laure

By: Mark Giongco - 11 years ago

Alyssa Valdez INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas rookie Ennajie Laure has been turning heads in her maiden stint in the Shakey’s V-League.

And after leading the streaking Tigresses over UAAP champion Ateneo last Sunday, Laure, who has yet to play a single game in college, earned high praise from the current face of UAAP volleyball Alyssa Valdez.

“EJ (Laure) is a brave kid. I’ve been going back to UST to train with them and see them and she’s a really brave kid and she always listens and willing to learn,” Valdez told INQUIRER.net.

“And that’s what’s important. It’s one of the most vital part of a player even if she’s already good and has high potential a player still should be willing to listen and EJ is that kind of player,” Valdez said following the Lady Eagles’ 19-25, 22-25, 19-25 setback.

The Lady Eagles skipper Valdez, “in a sense,” also sees herself in Laure considering they’re both high school stars coming out of UST.

“I’m also from UST and I can feel what she feels as an incoming freshman.”

But that’s where the similarities between Valdez and 16-year-old Laure stop.

“But EJ is different. She’s extraordinary, I can say.”

Valdez, the Season 76 and Finals MVP, also thinks UST, which assured itself a semifinals slot in the V-League with its impressive win over Ateneo, will be one of the teams to reckon with this year.

“For sure, UST will be one of the great teams this coming UAAP and because of that we’ll be more inspired to train harder.”