Just for a bit of fun, One Sports asked PVL players to name current UAAP athletes they would like to team up with in a hypothetical scenario. Eya Laure of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers was game to share her list.
Picture this: Eya the Sleya and the best UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball has to offer.
It's a fascinating idea, especially after it was announced that the AVC Challenge Cup for Women would be held in Manila next month.
[ALSO READ: Manila is set to host the 2024 Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women]
Just for a bit of light-hearted fun, One Sports asked Eya Laure of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to pick three current UAAP players that she would like as a hypothetical teammate in any scenario.
Here's what she said.
Teammate 1: Bernadett Pepito (UST Golden Tigresses)
Well of course the former Queen Tigress of España would be choosing the current captain of the UST Golden Tigresses.
"Si Detdet, una talaga," Laure told One Sports. "Kasi bakla-bakla lang 'yun, pero nakasamaa ko na way back [mula nung] tumungtong siya sa UST. Siyempre, Detdet pipiliin ko first."
Teammate 2: Angel Canino (DLSU Lady Spikers)
Eya Laure and Angel Canino on the same team? That's one explosive combination. Would it happen? Who knows. But one thing’s for sure, Eya Laure wants Angel to be by her side.
"Of course, pipiliin ko si Angel. Kasi una, nakalaban ko na siya since high school, tapos hindi ko pa siya naging teammate. Pero gusto kong magkaroon ng chance na maka-team siya," said the 25-year-old spiker.
In 2017, Angel and Eya played against each other during the UAAP Season 80 elimination round and the semis, but the former Junior Tigresses bested the Junior Lady Archers.
Last year, Angel Canino proved her worth in her rookie year by beating Eya and the UST Golden Tigresses in the semifinals of UAAP Season 85.
The reigning rookie-MVP though is currently out of commission, as she nurses an arm injury. Laure is wishing noting but the best.
"Sana okay lang siya kasi nabalitaan ko naka-cast siya. Sana maka-recover, makalaro na siya. Kasi kahit naman sinong UAAP player sino ba namang ayaw maglaro," the younger Laure shared as she empathizes with Canino's situation.
"I feel yung nasa gilid lang siya – tagasigaw at wala siyang magawa. Kaya sana Angel maka-recover ka."
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Angel Canino's mother clarifies issues surrounding DLSU superstar’s injury, going pro rumors]
Teammate 3: Bella Belen (NU Lady Bulldogs)
This was also an easy choice for Laure.
"Next si Belen, of course, kasi alam na niya siguro 'yun. Naka-teammate ko siya sa national team," the younger Laure recounted. "'Pag sa training, si Belen very chill pero andun 'yung hard work."
Playing against tougher opponents would certainly be easier with a rookie-MVP like Belen, who is also a steady presence with the national team.
"I think si Belen kasi, nandun 'yung enjoyment habang nakikipag-baklaan sa court. Mas magaan 'yun pag nangyari 'yun."
Eya sure knows how to pick them: Mini Miss UST and two rookie-MVPs in Angel and Bella? Can we say All-Stars?