Tug-of-war on Eya looms

MANILA, Philippines — Acquiring young star Eya Laure, who is reportedly parting ways with her current Premier Volleyball League team Chery Tiggo, is definitely easier said than done.

“May legal impediment,” Capital1 Solar coach Roger Gorayeb yesterday told The STAR amid recent reports that Laure, a potential franchise player in the PVL and member of the national team, is in the process of a possible contract buyout with the Crossovers.

Both parties have yet to make an official statement but sources said Crossovers management is not letting go of its biggest championship building block that easily.

Worse, it could end up in a legal battle.

The Laure news intriguingly came out shortly after elder sister EJ, along with libero Buding Duremdes, left the club, which also appointed former National U mentor Norman Miguel as its new coach a month ago, sending Kungfu Reyes back to his old post as an assistant.

But if a buyout happens, expect PLDT and Akari to be the first ones to try to pry Laure into their respective squad.

“Wala pa naman clearance from Chery (Tiggo). Pero if cleared na siya, definitely mag-try din kami,” said PLDT team manager Bajjie del Rosario of Laure, who signed a highly lucrative contract with Chery Tiggo last year.

For Akari manager Mozzy Ravena, everything will rely on the possible buyout.

“Depends ‘yan muna sa usapan nila ni Chery,” she said.

Already, PVL teams are now in the late stage of preparation for the forthcoming All-Filipino Conference, which will begin Nov. 9 and end early next year.

But first, the tug-of-war on Laure.