Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas will have to go through its remaining games in the Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference without both its head coach and star rookie.
Kung Fu Reyes is in Indonesia serving the country as the assistant coach of the women’s national volleyball team while Eya Laure is resting her right shoulder after it suffered a couple of dislocations in only a span of two weeks.
Laure, who had an MRI this past week, said she could be out until the end of the eliminations on August 26.
“I don’t have a definite time table for my return, but I think by the time semifinals I can finally play,” said Laure in Filipino after UST’s loss to Adamson, 25-15, 26-24, 25-23, 25-20, Saturday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“It was dislocated twice so the coaches got worried so they decided that I should rest today, my shoulder was returned to its normal place so I just have to rest it.”
Laure’s absence proved too much for the Golden Tigresses, who were dealt with their first loss without the prolific spiker as the scoring duties fell solely on sophomore Milena Alessandrini, who finished with 23 points.
UST’s next game is against UAAP rival Far Eastern University in Cagayan De Oro and even though she’s not allowed to play, Laure said she will fly with the team to show her support.
“Of course I want to play because I’ll be going with them and the supporters want to watch me play,” said Laure. “And earlier during the game I really wanted to play and it’s hard to contain yourself because you want to help the team.”
“It was a decision the coaches made and it’s just sad I can’t overrule that and play.”