FOCUS will be on Eya Laure as she leads a University of Sto. Tomas squad seeking to end over a decade of frustration in the UAAP women's volleyball competition.
A former rookie of the year, eyes will be on Laure as UST guns for the title while she tries to guide a handful of players making their collegiate debuts.
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"Ibibigay ko sa mga freshmen namin, sa mga rookies namin, 'yung katulad na suporta na binigay ni Ate Sisi [Rondina] sa akin nung freshman year ko at kung paano kami nag-gel [together as a team]," Laure told the UAAP Varsity Channel.
Among key rookies to watch are Xyza Gula, Regina Jurado, and Pierre Abellana, who did fine for the Tigresses in a fourth-place finish in the Shakey's Super League last year.
Laure, Season 81's best outside spiker, hopes the young Tigresses would hold their nerves in college competition.
"Wag masyadong mag-isip ng negative thoughts ... We've got each other's back," was Laure's message to the rookies.
Amid current ties with PVL club Chery Tiggo — where her older sister and former Tigress EJ plays — Eya did not dismiss the possibility of playing a fifth and final UAAP season.

"Siyempre this coming season [85] talaga, bago man ako umalis sa UST kung ito na yung magiging last season ko, gusto ko mag-iwan ng legacy na matatandaan ng mga bata na hindi lang sa paglalaro kundi sa character na ma-bbuild habang naglalaro."
The Tigresses last won the UAAP women's volleyball title in 2010.
The Season 85 volleyball competition is set to open on Feb. 25.
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