Eya Laure vowed to come back stronger and sharper for University of Santo Tomas in Game 3 of their UAAP women’s volleyball finals against Ateneo tomorrow at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Laure, this season’s Rookie of the Year, admitted she wasn’t the same when she returned to court late in the third set after sustaining a mild left ankle sprain earlier that frame from an awkward landing.
In a video footage, Eya can be heard sobbing and pleading to come back inside the court as her father, former basketball pro, Eddie Laure, was carrying her to the dugout.
“Pinilit ko talaga na bumalik pero wala eh, kinapos na. Masakit na talaga,” said Eya. (I tried to come back but it was still hurting.)
Tied at one set apiece, Eya’s absence for most parts of the third frame enabled Ateneo to regain their composure to turn things around and force a deciding Game 3 with a 26-24, 14-25, 25-21, 25-15 Game 2 win.
Eya, however, said she would do whatever it takes to recuperate for the all-important match, knowing that her teammates needed her in destroying Ateneo’s sturdy defense led by triple towers Bea De Leon, Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag.
“Marami namang nagmo-motivate saken before, during and after the game kaya hindi ako nawawalan ng pag-asa. Hindi ako nada-down,” Eya said.
