EYA Laure was once the centerpiece of University of Santo Tomas’ longstanding playoff rivalry with La Salle.
In fact, it was the former UAAP Rookie of the Year who led the Golden Tigresses’ Season 81 conquest of the Lady Spikers in both the playoff for No. 2 and their eventual Final Four matchup.
READ: History favors UST in playoff for No. 2 vs. La Salle
Not to mention, she was also the face of UST’s ‘no sweep’ win over La Salle in Season 85 prelims play that blocked the Taft side’s bid for an outright finals berth.
Now an interested spectator of her alma mater, there’s one thing about the playoff stage which she hopes the current crop of UST stars can overcome — fatigue.
To play 14 elimination round matches over a two-month window along with other personal and academic responsibilities is by no means an easy feat.
With just a few more wins separating UST from ending a two-decade title drought, succumbing to fatigue shouldn’t be an option anymore for the España squad to pull off an encore of Season 81.
“Excited ako kasi playoffs na ‘to. Tapos na yung second round and lahat ng players, may nararamdaman na talagang pagod pero dito na [playoffs] yung talagang magpapakita kung gaano nila ilalaban yung school nila,” Laure said.
Healthy finish more than anything
While a playoff win remains her immediate wish, Laure wants an injury-free Golden Tigresses side more than anything by the end of Season 87.
Her Season 81 finals injury and ace winger Angge Poyos’ Season 86 finals injury dampened what were already taking shape as promising title runs.
This year, Laure hopes none of those misfortunes will block UST’s title dream for a third time.
“Siyempre, bias ako, UST tayo. Sana lang maging healthy lang lahat at wala nang injuries kasi yun naman ang pinaka-importante,” Laure said.
“Masayang manood kapag lahat talaga nakaka-perform ng 100 percent para sa school nila.”
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