Eya Laure.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Eya Laure didn’t want to miss Chery Tiggo’s do-or-die game as she played under the weather only to be eliminated by defending champion Creamline in her first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) semifinal appearance.
Laure only scored five and played sparingly in the last two sets as Chery Tiggo got swept by unbeaten Creamline, 24-25, 21-25, 21-25, in Game 2 on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Although she’s experiencing flu-like symptoms, the star rookie remained eager to help her teammates.
“Siyempre pinaglalaban kasi dito na kung paano makapasok sa Finals. Sino ba naman kasing player ang hindi gustong makapasok sa Finals. Miss ko na rin yung feeling na naglalaro sa Finals pero before that syempre kailangan matapos talaga namin yung semis and parang ayoko lang kasi makakuha ng regret na ‘ay hindi ako naglaro,” said Laure.
“Masarap sa feeling na alam mong madaming nagwoworry sayo na gusto ka talaga mapabuti. Siyempre gusto ko rin ibalik yun sa kanila, yung thought nila sakin na umokay, syempre gusto ko rin ipaglaban hanggat sa kaya ng katawan ko,” she added.
However, her effort couldn’t save the Crossovers from getting relegated to the battle for third with their fourth loss in a row.
Despite losing to Creamline, Laure remained grateful to reach the semis as their young crew, bannered by Cess Robles, Jennifer Nierva, and Joyme Cagande, gained experience to go up against the most successful PVL team in a semis series.
“Isang achievement na sa team namin knowing na young team pa din naman kami and under na sa system ni coach Kungfu, kahit papaano nakikita namin na lahat talaga nag-aadjust and knowing nga sa sitwasyon namin, masaya pa din ako kasi sabi nga ni coach Kungfu nasa process kami, kung nasan yung team ngayon nasa process kami lahat,” the former UST star said. “Happy ako na kahit ganito na lalabas kami ng buo. Siyempre Creamline sobrang lakas din talaga nila at sanay sila sa mga ganung stage so may matutunan kami pero at the same time lalabas kami na healthy kami lahat.”
Laure has several days to recover before the best-of-three bronze series on Thursday against the loser of Choco Mucho-Cignal semis Game 3 as Chery Tiggo seeks to finish the season at the podium.
“Recovery muna talaga kasi kahit hanggang ngayon medyo mabigat pa rin yung pakiramdam pero ang dami ko ding sinusubukang i-fuel ulit yung katawan ko,” she said. “Siyempre hindi pa tapos yung laban kung di man kami nakapasok sa Finals pero may battle for bronze pa.”