UST's Laure cherishes lessons from playing with Sisi Rondina

MANILA, Philippines — Eya Laure fell short of giving her “ate” Sisi Rondina the perfect sendoff after a bridesmaid finish in the UAAP women's volleyball tourney.

As the UST rookie bids farewell to her high flying senior, she intends to bring everything she had learned from Rondina in the years to come.

"Yung fighting spirit niya na nakita ko, yung kung gaano niya kamahal yung UST, sabi ko ganito ko rin mamahalin yung UST," the Espana-based volleybelle said.

"Yung pagmamahal na pinapakita niya... yung leadership na binibigay niya sa amin, yun yung gusto kong makuha sa kanya," Laure added.

Laure and Rondina were a mean one-two punch that helped the Golden Tigresses reach the Finals and pushed would-be champions Ateneo to the brink.

The duo had even ruled the UAAP season's individual accolades with Laure getting Rookie of the Year honors and Rondina being named the Most Valuable Player.

While an unfortunate Game Two injury derailed Laure in the Finals, Rondina the UST young gun still went all out in the winner take all match.

Despite Laure missing her older sister EJ on the court in her rookie year, playing alongside Rondina was more than a good alternative.

"Sobrang nakakabilib siyang tao. At pag nakasama mo siya... kumbaga, kung di ko man nakasama yung ate (EJ) ko, nandyan si Ate Sisi. Ganun, ganun yung feeling," Laure said.