Tigress Eya Laure leaves España den
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 25) — After donning the black-gold-white jersey for 12 years, Eya Laure bids goodbye to the España squad.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) volleyball captain revealed her decision Thursday evening, through a penned farewell posting on her Instagram account.
"Kaya siguro up until the last minute, I wanted to find a way to play for one more year. Para akong nakikipag-break sa libu-libong tao and my heart is shattering into pieces. Ang sakit at ang hirap mag mapaalam" she wrote.
[Translation: Maybe this is why up until the last minute, I wanted to find a way to play for one more year. It's like breaking up with thousands of people and my heart is shattering into pieces. It's hard to say goodbye.]
The 24-year-old star player then apologized to the Thomasian community for not being able to take home the Season 85 UAAP crown.
The UST Golden Tigresses ended their UAAP seasons 84 and 85 campaigns with back-to-back fourth places. Laure also thanked UST's "Sea of Yellow" for showing the team support in all their games.
"Patawad dahil hindi ko naibigay yung championship na deserve niyo. But more than that, salamat. Parang sasabog ang dibdib ko sa sobrang laki ng pasasalamat na meron ako sa inyo," Laure said.
[Translation: I'm sorry I was not able to give the championship you deserve. But more than that, thank you. It feels like my chest will explode with all the gratitude I feel for you.]
The Tigress' collegiate rookie season began in Season 81, where she pushed the team alongside UAAP MVP Sisi Rondina back to the finals. She earned the Rookie of the Year and Best Outside Hitter during that stint.
Laure also lifted UST to a Final Four appearance in Season 84, capping off the campaign as the league's top scorer.
As part of UST's girl's volleyball team, Laure also bagged the Rookie of the Year title in Season 75 and took home the MVP crown in Season 78.
Laure is rumored to join the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the professional league but she has yet to comment on the matter.
Hernandez turns pro
Just before Laure bid farewell to UST, the Tigresses' middle blocker Imee Hernandez also announced she has decided to cut her eligible years short and play in the professional league.
Also on Instagram on Thursday, Hernandez thanked the Thomasian community whom she competed for since high school.
"UST community, you have been with me through all the battles and I am forever grateful. Now that I am done with my studies, with you by my side, I am more than ready to face the bigger challenges that lie ahead as I continue to pursue my passion for the game of volleyball on a grander stage and under brighter lights. I have decided to go professional," she wrote.
Hernandez reached a career-high 24 points against the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles in April. The 22-year-old volleybelle averaged 11.35 points in the elimination round of Season 85.
Hernandez has yet to reveal the pro team she will be joining, but she is set to debut in the upcoming 2023 PVL Invitational Conference set for June 29.
