Eya Laure finds wider view of the game in ambassador role
Alas Pilipinas’ Eya Laure celebrates after a point against Australia in the AVC Challenge Cup 2024. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Eya Laure is relishing the opportunity to see volleyball from a different perspective as an ambassador for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship amid her PVL hiatus.
Laure may not be playing since her departure from Chery Tiggo, but she’s enjoying her time promoting Philippine volleyball as an ambassador alongside Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball star Bryan Bagunas.
READ: K-pop, volleyball collide for Filipino fans at FIVB Men’s Worlds
The two are part of the country’s historic hosting of the World Championship from Sept. 12 to 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Her training with Kurashiki Ablaze in Japan was part of her ambassador tour to promote the Philippines’ hosting duties.
Eya Laure with Japan club Kurashiki Ablaze.–Photo from Kurashiki Ablaze
“I’ve also had opportunities to go to places I never thought I’d visit—like Japan—and events like this for the FIVB,” Laure said in Filipino.
“You get to experience the difference firsthand, and it really shows how much potential the Philippines has if we just keep supporting the sport, especially if we keep adding more players and giving them chances to experience international leagues.”
She spoke during the partnership signing between the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and the MVP Group, headed by sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan, on Monday.
Laure is currently training with Mars Alba, Dawn Macandili-Catindig and Julia Coronel as they wait for other PVL players who just wrapped up the long All-Filipino Conference and the AVC Champions League. The UAAP Final Four, where most of the players from the PNVF’s wishlist compete, begins Saturday.
“It’s understandable that we’re not complete yet. Some players just finished their UAAP season, and others from the PVL are still coming back from a long conference,” she said. “So we’re just waiting—maybe this week or next week we’ll be more complete in training.”
Eya Laure, an avid K-Pop fan, relishes BOYNEXTDOOR’s appointment as global celebrity ambassadors for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/AvqjrXMZdC
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 28, 2025
Alas will compete in the AVC Nations Cup, formerly known as the Challenge Cup, and the SEA V.League, where the program won three bronze medals last year.
The women’s team is hoping to end a 20-year medal drought in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
After visiting Japan and training with a V.League club, Laure said the most important quality of a Filipino volleyball player is the willingness to learn—no matter the level of competition.
“I think it’s our eagerness to learn. We know we’re not quite at the same level as other countries yet, but we’re determined to improve,” she said. “Every time we go abroad, we come back more motivated. Filipinos always want to aim higher than before. Hopefully, we can show that in future tournaments with Alas.”
With her role as an ambassador, Laure vows to embody Filipino hospitality in promoting the World Championship and introducing Philippine volleyball to other nations.
“They always say we Filipinos are very welcoming, right?” she said. “So just our warm hospitality and the way we show support—like watching the games and sharing memories from the Men’s World Championship—that’s already a big show of support. And not just for our country, but for all the participating countries.”
Laure, an avid K-pop fan, is also excited to see BoyNextDoor on opening day after the group was recently named global celebrity ambassadors.
“The music industry and volleyball are coming together,” she said. “That kind of event is super rare here in the Philippines, so we’re really happy and excited it’s happening here.”
