Eya Laure trains with Japan club Kurashiki Ablaze

Eya Laure with Japan club Kurashiki Ablaze.–Photo from Kurashiki Ablaze Instagram

MANILA, Philippines — Free agent Eya Laure earned an opportunity to train with Japan V.League club Kurashiki Ablaze in Japan as her hiatus from the PVL continues.

The Kurashiki Ablaze, a former PVL Invitational Conference champion, on Friday posted a photo with Laure after their training session.

“Eya came to train with us. Thank you so much, Eya! We’re really looking forward to playing together again. Waiting for you here in Kurashiki!” wrote Kurashiki in Japanese.

READ: Eya Laure grateful for Alas Pilipinas training amid pro hiatus

Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito said Laure, a national team pool member, went to Japan for training and will continue her national team workouts next week in Manila.

“Just for training. As I know, she will be back this coming week,” De Brito told Inquirer Sports.

Laure, the former University of Santo Tomas star, enjoyed her training with the Ablaze, as she was seen in a series of photos and TikTok dances with the Japanese players.

Kurashiki just finished its V.League regular season last March, winding up in sixth place with a 13-15 record.

The Ablaze have been the guest team of the PVL since the 2023 Invitational Conference, where they took down Creamline in a winner-take-all final. They returned last year but only settled for bronze.

READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo confirms split with Eya Laure

Laure hasn’t played in the PVL since last year’s first All-Filipino Conference after requesting a contract buyout from her mother club, Chery Tiggo, last November. She reportedly signed a non-compete clause, but due to a non-disclosure agreement, both parties have not addressed the conflict publicly.

The former UAAP Rookie of the Year last competed in Alas Pilipinas’ three consecutive bronze medals in the AVC Challenge Cup and two legs of the SEA V League last year.

The 26-year-old spiker has been training with De Brito and the national team coaching staff. She was recently named as one of the ambassadors with Bryan Bagunas in the FIVB Men’s World Championship Manila.

Laure is also part of De Brito’s 33-player wishlist for tryouts, with Alas competing in three major international tournaments including the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.