“Take in the things you can handle”: Eya Laure reflects on winning PVL return after 630-day absence

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans kicked off their 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference campaign in style, securing a straight-sets victory over the Akari Chargers, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20, on Saturday, January 31, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Flying Titans showcased a balanced and disciplined performance on both ends of the floor, setting the tone for what they hope will be a deep run in the conference. Central to their success was the return of star Eya Laure, who tallied 11 points in her first PVL match in 630 days.

Laure’s comeback carries added significance given the controversy surrounding her exit from the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in October 2024. Reports at the time indicated that she formally requested a contract release from the franchise. While her request was granted, a non-compete clause temporarily barred her from signing with any of Chery Tiggo’s rivals, forcing her to sit out of the league for an extended period.

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Speaking about her return, Laure admitted that adapting to the circumstances was challenging, but credited her support system for helping her navigate the situation.

“I’m really blessed and grateful for the people who pushed me to keep fighting, especially mentally, through those tough situations I was able to overcome. And that’s why I’m here today in front of you,” Laure said in a media interaction.

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Eya Laure scores her first point for Choco Mucho after nearly two years away from the league, hitting off the block against the Akari Chargers in the opening set of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference!#PVL2026 #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/KPiWK8J5pC

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She also spoke about the importance of protecting her mental health, particularly amid the pressures of social media and public scrutiny.

“The most important thing for me are the people around me. Second, I really don’t spend much time on social media. I only use it when I’m posting something, but I don’t read the comments because they don’t really help my mental health.

“You just take in the things you can handle—things that will help you grow and improve. You have to know what works for you, especially during moments when you feel low or unsure who you can trust,” she added.

During her absence from the PVL, Laure maintained her fitness by training with her alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas, as well as with guest PVL team Kurashiki Ablaze in Japan. She also credited the management of Alas Pilipinas for nurturing her confidence and ensuring she stayed mentally prepared for her return.

“With the national team, they trained me for a long time until I was able to keep up. They were extremely patient with me and helped me rebuild my confidence. If they hadn’t been patient with me back then, I think it would have been much harder for me to build my confidence now,” Laure said.

With the opening victory in the books, Laure and the Flying Titans will have a few days to rest before facing their next challenge. Choco Mucho is set to take on the Cignal Super Spikers in their second preliminary-round match on Thursday, February 5, once again at the FilOil EcoOil Centre, as they look to build early momentum in the All-Filipino Conference.

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