MANILA, Philippines – EJ Laure made her debut for the Nxled Chameleons in the 2024–25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference following eight arduous months of recuperation and expectation. 

As she recovered from a persistent shoulder ailment that had kept her out of action since the 2024 Reinforced Conference, Laure was ecstatic to be back on the floor.

The former outstanding player for the University of Santo Tomas revealed that her main goal right now is to rediscover the excitement of playing on the court, something she hasn’t done in a long time. Following last Saturday’s straight-sets defeat to Farm Fresh, Nxled took stock of her career and looked forward to playing competitively again.

She said that she was eager to get back into the game on the court after being out of commission for a long time. She was determined to return stronger and more focused because the time apart had increased her appreciation for the game.

She sees the chance to play again as a luxury, therefore she keeps a cheerful attitude despite the loss to Farm Fresh. She was reminded of her love for volleyball and the personal development that comes from taking on obstacles head-on by the experience of returning to the court despite challenging conditions.

The road to Laure’s eagerly anticipated comeback was far from easy. She joined Nxled after splitting from Chery Tiggo prior to the All-Filipino event, however she ended up watching from the sidelines as she recovered during the early stages of the eliminations.

After starting from the bench in the first set of her first match back, Laure managed to gain a spot in the starting lineup for the following two sets. Despite contributing eight points, she was unable to stop Nxled from prolonging their losing streak. With 13 straight losses, the Chameleons are currently 0-6 in the standings and have been in a slump since the Reinforced Conference the previous year.

In spite of the overwhelming obstacles, Laure seems unfazed. She attributes her ability to adjust to various coaching philosophies to her previous positions at Foton and Chery Tiggo, and she has found solace in the system of Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti.

After playing for Foton and Chery, Laure talked about her experience adjusting to new coaching philosophies. She mentioned that she had to adjust to changing programs with different coaches, but it wasn’t hard to do so.

Laure is still hopeful about her team’s future in spite of the disappointing outcomes. She expressed hope that her colleagues’ efforts will eventually result in wins and commended them for their tenacity during practice.

Laure emphasized her team’s enormous potential, highlighting in particular how competitive each player is during practice.

For Laure, the objective is simple: to play their real games with the same level of intensity they exhibit during practice. She exuded a strong feeling of dedication, saying that the team would keep giving it their all because they have had great training and are intent on turning that effort into winning games.

Off the court, Laure is juggling her volleyball obligations with getting ready for her wedding to Bugoy Cariño, a former child star. She makes sure to make up for lost time by working harder, even though she occasionally misses practices because of wedding-related obligations.

She mentioned that occasionally wedding meetings happen after training, which means she misses some sessions, but she works twice as hard to make up for the time she lost. Despite the difficulties of balancing these two important facets of her life, Laure is dedicated to her volleyball career and puts in a lot of effort to make up for lost opportunities.

Both her teammates and her fans, who are still supporting her while she makes a return, find encouragement in Laure’s tenacity and resolve at the age of 27. Her professionalism and passion for the game are demonstrated by her capacity to remain committed to her squad in spite of her personal obligations.

Every game is an important step forward for Laure, an opportunity to rekindle her career and contribute significantly to the Chameleons’ success. She continues to be motivated by the desire to help her team succeed while striking a balance between her personal accomplishments and her sporting objectives.