MANILA, Philippines – Fans of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) women's volleyball team saw a flashback to the past – as well as a glimpse of the future – on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena, when sisters EJ and Eya Laure suited up for the Tigresses against the San Beda Lady Red Spikers.

EJ and Eya played together in the UST girls' team, with Eya as the setter and EJ as the star open spiker. They led the Junior Tigresses to great success, winning the Season 76 title together before EJ moved on to play for the Tigresses in the women's division.

Wednesday's V-League game marked the first time that they played together since their high school days, and it seemed the sisters never missed a beat – they combined for 35 points in a 27-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-18 victory over San Beda.

"Sobrang masaya (ako)," the older EJ, who scored 18 points, said after the game. "Parang reunited kaming GVT (girls' volleyball team) doon."

EJ, who last season was named team captain of the UST squad as a sophomore, could not contain her pride at seeing her younger sister – who is only 17 years old – outshine some of the more veteran players on the court.

"Natutuwa ako kasi naipapakita n'ya na kahit high school pa lang s'ya, nakakasabay na s'ya sa amin," EJ said of Eya, who is one of UST's guest players in the Collegiate Conference along with Magi Mangulabnan, another high school player. "Iba talaga 'yung level n'ya."

In fact, EJ did not hesitate to say that she has no issues about the inevitable comparisons to her younger sister.

"Okay lang namin sa akin na ma-compare sa kanya, since kapatid ko naman s'ya, at mas magaling naman s'ya sa akin," she said.

There was no trace of jealousy or flippancy in EJ when she declared her sister to be better than her – only certainty, as if she was stating a fact.

"Sobrang dami n'ya ng accomplishments, compared sa akin," EJ said, while also noting that Eya can play both the utility and setter positions.

Eya, who was named Player of the Game after scoring 17 points in her debut for the women's team, repeatedly said that she was simply thrilled to play with her sister again.

"Masaya ako kasi first game, and panalo kami, and naipakita ko pa 'yung kaya kong gawin para makatulong sa team," Eya said. "And na-miss ko din po na kasama si Ate."

Eya, already taller than her older sister, also knows that she will be inevitably compared to her "Ate," but unlike EJ, she says she does not listen to the comparisons.

"Kami ni Ate, hindi kami nagfo-focus sa comparisons. Mas nagfo-focus kami sa kaya naming ibigay sa team," said Eya, while also pointing out that they play completely different positions. "Iba kami ng kayang itulong sa team."

For UST head coach Kungfu Reyes, who coached both Laure sisters in the girls' team and is now coaching EJ in the women's team as well, there is no "sibling rivalry" to speak of between EJ and Eya.

"Kung sa comparison, magkaiba sila ng position, so walang sibling rivalry dito na mangyayari. Kumbaga, 'yung dalawa na 'yun, pag nag-tulungan 'yan, mas magiging effective 'yung team," he said.

Reyes admits, however, that Eya is considerably more versatile than her older sister, having been named Best Setter in the Season 76 girls' volleyball tournament (EJ earned MVP honors that year). In Season 77, Eya shifted to the utility position and promptly won Best Attacker honors; in Season 78, she matched her sister's achievement by winning the MVP trophy.

"Si Eya kasi, from zero 'yan, tinuruan namin ng fundamentals. Si EJ kasi, dumating sa amin, may alam na kahit papaano. So talagang spiker na si EJ. 'Yung bata (Eya), since nag-start s'ya sa amin, medyo wala talagang ka-alam-alam," Reyes explained.

"Kaya na-develop namin 'yung pundasyon n'ya, na nagse-set, pumapalo," he said of Eya. "S'ya 'yung latest creation namin."

Nothing will make Reyes happier than to see EJ and Eya play together in the UST women's volleyball team, but those plans were scuttled due to the K-12 system, meaning Eya will have to play two more years in the girls' team. They will likely play together again in Season 81, in what will be EJ's final year with the Tigresses.

"Hopefully, mag-abot sila sa college, kahit isang taon lang," Reyes said.

"Nakakalungkot," EJ admitted. "Inabot nga kasi s'ya ng K-12, at hindi kami agad magkakasama sa team sa college."

"Kung pwede lang po na maglaro na ako sa college next year," said Eya. "Kaso, 'yun nga po 'yung rule and 'yung K-12."

For now, the sisters will relish their reunion in the V-League Collegiate Conference, and look forward to the time when they will play with each other again in the UAAP.

"Hopefully, magkasama pa po kami ng mas matagal ni Ate," Eya said.

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