Laure credits Tigresses’ system, coaches for stellar UAAP career
By Ernest Martin Tuazon
UST star spiker Eya Laure is forever grateful for the system of Tigresses’ head coach Kung Fu Reyes and assistant Ian Fernandez to establish her name among the greats of UAAP women’s volleyball.
Through the guidance of her two mentors, Laure left everything on the floor in what could potentially be her final UAAP game with 15 points, 12 digs, and 11 receptions, but it all went for naught as the UST Golden Tigresses ended their title bid by a four-set loss against the DLSU Lady Spikers, 24–26, 22–25, 25–20, 19–25, on May 3 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Grabe yung balik talaga under sa system ni Kung Fu na sobrang kong pinagkatiwalaan for how many years. Hindi ko yun bibitawan at talagang panghahawakan ko siya habang buhay. Malaking factor sakin sila coach Kung Fu at coach Ian kung sino si Eya Laure ngayon, kung ‘di dahil sa kanila,” said the emotional 24-year-old outside hitter.
Aside from being a coach on the court, the 44-year-old tactician cited his experience in guiding a ‘special talent’ like Laure, who also allowed him to serve as her second parent, dating back to the latter’s elementary years.
Aside from being a coach on the court, Laure acknowledged the presence of Reyes and Fernandez as her second parents, dating back to her elementary years.
“Pangalawang tatay talaga eh, it speaks for itself… ‘Yung pagiging second parent namin sa kanila, siya lang yung pinaka model namin kasi since grade four, nasa gilid na namin siya. We will treasure that and we’re happy na yinakap niya yung ganoong sistema; that’s why, ito siya si Eya Laure ngayon,” said Reyes, who is now in his sixth coaching year for UST.
Laure, who still has one playing year left, remains mum if she will stay for the Tigresses in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
“Time will tell kung ano ‘yung para sa akin. Ayoko kasi magmadali, gusto ko i-open lahat ng doors muna ngayon at makikinig ako and of course, ngayon kung ano ‘yung state ng team ngayon,” the tournament’s top scorer said.
For her coach, the MVP frontrunner is grateful for her coaches’ support on whatever decision Laure will make in the near future.
However, Reyes mentioned that they are now looking for another player to fill the void their star player may leave behind.
“We are looking for another person or player na hopefully kumalat ‘yung ganoong klase ng person or player [tulad ni Eya]. Kung dumami ‘yung mga ‘yan, mas maganda ‘yung potential ‘yung volleyball satin sa Pilipinas kasi we will produce elite athletes,” he added.
Besides the possible recruits to enter the Tigresses’ den, Reyes will have a young core moving forward, with Xyza Gula, Pierre Abellana, Cassie Carballo, Renee Penafiel, and Jonna Perdido leading the pack.
