COACH Kungfu Reyes is pleased to see EJ Laure making progress from a major injury, but says the former team captain will have to fight for her spot on the UST Tigresses roster.
Laure finally showed up this week after staying away from the volleyball scene for over eight months after suffering a shoulder injury that kept her out of UAAP Season 80.
“Depende na 'yun kung ano ang progress ng training niya pero siyempre iko-consider namin si EJ kasi talagang gustong-gusto maglaro ng bata,” said Reyes, who rejoins the UST team in the PVL after serving as an assistant to Shaq de los Santos with the national squad that participated in the Asian Games.
“Pero ang tinitignan ko diyan, parang Michael Jordan ba na medyo matagal nawala, so baka kinakalawang so kailangan bugbugin ulit sa ensayo,” the UST coach said.
Among the outside hitters on the UST roster are Milena Alessandrinin and Carla Sandoval.
EJ was also recently seen at Foton Tornadoes training, which fueled speculations she might also make a return in Philippine Superliga for the All-Filipino Conference in October.
Younger sister Eya has been leading the Tigresses in the PVL Collegiate Conference, even as she also struggles with a shoulder injury.
With Eya leading the way, the Tigresses are fighting for third in the preseason tournament, and the incoming Tigresses rookie in the UAAP is also eager to play with her sister as they eye a semifinal spot after placing seventh in Season 80.
“Super excited siguro isa na din na excited ako kasi makakasama ko na siya ulit,” said Eya, who last played together with her elder sister in UAAP Season 76 girls volleyball with EJ winning the MVP award.
Eya says she understands there is a huge difference in the role of sisters from teammate.
“Pero napapaisip din ako kasi magiging senior ko siya ulit. Kasi siyempre minsan —hindi naman sa may boundaries — pero ate ko siya,” the 18-year-old opposite hitter said. “Kahit na may ganun naman pag nasa loob kami ng court walang kapatid, magtulungan lang tayo as a teammates. Wala kaming iniisip na ‘O magkapatid tayo magtulungan tayo pati dito.’ Wala namang ganun.”
“Sa amin kung ano ‘yung role namin talaga sa team ‘yun talaga ‘yung gagawin namin,” she added.
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