Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Sisters EJ and Eya Laure have never been on the same UAAP volleyball court since they were in high school in 2014 when they led University of Santo Tomas to a title.
Until Wednesday, when they shared the court this time, in the collegiate circuit.
Eya is on her second year while EJ returned for her fourth playing season. The reunion, however, didn’t go as planned.
National University spoiled the sisters’ UAAP reunion in Season 82 with a tough five-set win, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-13, Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Nevertheless, Eya said that the loss didn’t put them down that much and instead challenged them to do better.
“We really don’t see this loss as a negative experience and coach (Kung Fu Reyes) just told us that we should improve every training, every game, and just see the good side so we won’t have a low morale,” said Eya, the younger of the two, in Filipino.
“This is just the start.”
Eya and EJ’s last time together on the UAAP floor was also their first with the older Laure winning the MVP and the younger of the two taking home the Rookie of the Year plum.
It was during that time that the sisters pushed each other to the limit, and their reunion is no different.
“My sister challenges me in defense and we’re talking trash to each other constantly, even in training we’re at each other,” said Eya, who had 20 points for the Golden Tigresses.