Laure sisters lead UST vs Benilde

ADMITTING she’s a proud big sister, University of Santo Tomas standout EJ Laure hopes to put on another show with sibling Eya in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference tonight.

“It’s good to see that she can keep up with us,” EJ said of the 17-year-old Eya, who debuted with an impressive 17 points.

“She’s in a different level. I know she’s better than me.”

The Laure sisters vie to lead UST anew as the Tigresses go for the Group B lead versus NCAA champion St. Benilde at 6 p.m.

San Sebastian also shoots for a second win in three games versus Ateneo at 4 p.m. at Philsports Arena.

“We want to expose her and let her feel how to play in big games early so that if her time comes to play for the seniors team, she will be ready,” said UST coach Kungfu Reyes of Eya, who was tapped as UST’s guest player.

Eya, a Grade 11 student, teamed up with EJ three years ago to power the Junior Tigresses to the UAAP girls’ volleyball crown.

Last Wednesday, the Laure sisters combined for 35 points to power the Tigresses past the San Beda Red Spikers, 27-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-18.

Aside from Eya, another high school player debuted strong for the Tigresses as setter Agatha Mangulabnan dished out 29 excellent sets on top of three aces.

Both rookies look to play key roles again versus the Lady Blazers, who bowed in straight sets to Far Eastern University on opening day.

Both the Lady Stags and the Lady Eagles, meanwhile, hope to rebound from recent losses.

The Lady Stags bowed to National U, 22-25, 27-29, 21-25, to drop to 1-1, while a depleted Ateneo side absorbed a 24-26, 25-14, 21-25, 25-18, 12-15 upset loss to Technological Institute of the Philippines.

In the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference, defending champion Ateneo targets the No. 1 spot against Emilio Aguinaldo College in Group B action at 12 noon. With a report from Delfin Ray Dioquino