EJ Laure. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—EJ Laure aims to finally return to University of Santo Tomas come UAAP Season 82.
“Hopefully, next year I’m back,” said Laure after the Golden Tigresses’ Game 3 loss to Ateneo, 25-17, 25-22, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball finals Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Laure would join her younger sister Eya, the Season 81 Rookie of the Year, Milena Alessandrini, the Season 80 Rookie of the Year, to form a deadly trio that could finally push UST over the hump.
The older Laure said there won’t be much of a change in style in playing with Eya since the two had already been teammates in the UST high school program.
“The only difference now is we’re in college.”
Supporting the troika of Rookies of the Year are incoming sophomores Yssa Jimenez and KC Galdones, and also setter Alina Bicar, who will be in her fifth year.
The one person missing from the team, though, is Season 81 MVP Cherry Rondina who played her last game for the Golden Tigresses.
Laure said she got emotional after UST lost especially how Rondina led the team to the finals, which was the first time the Golden Tigresses got to the championship round since 2011.
“Of course, I almost cried watching her because even though she wasn’t able to achieve her goal of winning a championship, she got this crowd back and that for me already makes her a champion,” said Laure.