Hurt but unbowed: UST's Eya Laure shows grit, heart in Game 2 loss

MANILA, Philippines — A lot can be said about UAAP Season 81 Rookie of the Year Eya Laure, but nothing rings truer than her huge heart.

Not even an ankle injury could stop the Espana-based volleybelle from doing whatever it takes for her UST squad.

Laure went down with an injury after an awkward fall at the beginning of the third set in Game Two of their UAAP women's volleyball finals series against Ateneo.

She was brought to the locker room after the fall but hurried her way back to the match before the set ended.

Laure's return was met with roars of cheers from both the UST and Ateneo fans in the arena.

While she struggled to get anything going on the offense after her return, her determination to finish the game was on full display.

"Gusto ko bumalik agad kaso hindi kaya ng paa ko," Laure said on what was going through her mind after her injury.

"Pagsubok lang 'to na kailangan ko i-overcome... magpapagaling ako, maglalaro ako sa Game Three," she said.

Playing with heart: A Laure family affair

When Laure returned to the court after her injury, it seemed like a case for deja vu for UST fans.

The show of heart was achingly similar to when Laure's older sister, EJ, also played through pain in a crucial match against the NU Lady Bulldogs back in Season 79.

Even Laure herself noticed, "Ano ba to, flashback ba 'to?" she said.

The UST young gun could only attribute her and her sister's determination to the guidance they received from their father and former PBA player Eddie Laure.

"Yung mindset niya as a PBA player noon, sinasabihan niya din kami na hindi mo naman pwedeng sukuan yung isang game dahil meron ka lang nararamdaman eh," Laure said.

Drawing strength from the Espana faithful

Apart from her sister and father, Laure was able to play through her injury thanks to the scores of UST supporters present in the arena on Wednesday.

"Kahit papano, kahit alam nilang may nangyari sa'kin, nandyan pa rin talaga yung UST community to support me," Laure said.

"Yun yung pinakamasarap, yung pagmamahal ng UST supporters and community na kahit anong mangyari nandyan sila para sa’yo," she added.

Laure hopes to recover quickly and return to top form when the Golden Tigresses battle it out with Ateneo in a winner-take-all match on Saturday.