Eya Laure enters the 2025 SEA Games fully locked in, drawing motivation from the heartbreak of 2019 as she pushes to end the Philippines’ long women’s volleyball medal drought.
Eya Laure is entering the 2025 Southeast Asian Games with one mission in mind: to help bring home a medal that has eluded the Philippines for two decades.
For Laure, the pursuit isn’t just a goal — it’s personal.
The heartbreak of their near-podium finish in the 2019 SEA Games, held in Manila, remains one of her biggest motivators. After all, the Philippines was just one point away from the bronze.
“I think itong 2025, sobrang motivated talaga ako ng locked in,” Laure told One Sports. “‘Di lang naman ako pero ‘yung mindset ko lang talaga as a player na nandun na eh, sobrang onti na lang. As in, ilang puntos nalang ‘yun? Isang puntos nalang.”
The 26-year-old spiker added that the moment she shared with now-team captain Jia De Guzman in 2019 continues to fuel their partnership under the Alas Pilipinas program.
“That's why very nag-ti-team up din talaga kami ni Ate Jia since siya ‘yung nakasama ko that moment—na ‘yung mindset na ito na ‘yung time na hindi natin nakuha ‘yung medal from 2019.”
[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman sees SEA Games as culmination of Alas Pilipinas' two-year journey]
A promise she made after 2019
The heartbreak of that SEA Games loss seemingly stayed with Laure for months — long enough for her to make a vow that still guides her every time a match reaches its breaking point.
“May pinromise ako sa sarili ko yun na every fifth set ng laro ng buong tanong buhay ko na hindi ko papakawalan basta ang mga five-setter games,” she said.
Laure also admitted that the memory of that painful ending still lingers with her to this day.
“I learned my lesson from that specific game na sobrang how many months ako, nahirapan talaga akong mag-move on. Parang ako na-heartbroken talaga,” she bared.
“So, ayun, naging motivation siya sa akin, at saka naging learning din talaga siya sa akin as a player na pag fifth set, it's now or never, high risk, high reward, at maniwala lang sa bawat teammates talaga.”
A shot at redemption
With Alas Women bringing in a strong core, familiar system, and renewed hunger, Laure believes the upcoming SEA Games presents a real opportunity to rewrite the ending that has stayed with her since 2019.
“This time may chance talaga, malaki yung chance. Basta mabuo at magkaroon ng jelling,” she said.
“Sobrang hungry lang talaga namin. As in, gustong gusto namin lahat. From coaches to players, na ma-achieve ‘yung isang bagay na hindi pa na-achieve ng Pilipinas for SEA Games ulit for how many years.”.
[ALSO READ: Jorge de Brito confident Alas Pilipinas Women can break SEA Games podium drought]
Alas Women will open their SEA Games campaign against hosts and reigning champions Thailand on December 11. The games will be aired on One Sports YouTube, Pilipinas Live, One Sports, and One Sports+
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at 33rd SEA Games in Thailand]
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.