PVL: Eya Laure lauds Jewel Encarnacion for rising to the occasion — ‘Nandun siya at nag-step up’

MANILA — Eya Laure deflected credit for her Set 5 heroics against Creamline, instead praising young gun Jewel Encarnacion for stepping up in a crucial matchup.

While Laure delivered in the clutch, Encarnacion chipped in 10 points and nine receptions to help Choco Mucho escape Creamline, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13, in the 2026-27 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Siklab series on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Encarnacion was named Player of the Game for her contributions, while Laure battled through back pain.

“I think, first of all, malaking pasasalamat ko kay Jewel kasi sa mga panahon na hindi ko mabigay ang 100 percent ko, nandun siya at nag-i-step up [para] sa ‘kin. At siyempre sa mga teammates ko din na sumusuporta kahit nasa bench na pinapalakas loob ko,” Laure said.

“May sakit pa din. Actually, ang goal ko naman next time wala namang sakit sa game na pag naglalaban kami [ng Creamline],” she added. “Masaya kasi siyempre sa lahat ng sakit may nagbubunga, kumbaga may natutunan kami kahit nung last time naging short ‘yung stint ko pero masaya lang na ngayon kumpleto kaming lalabas ng court at nakuha namin ‘yung panalo.”

Laure also shared how receptive Encarnacion has been to her guidance.

“Talagang ibibigay ko sa kanya kasi alam mo ‘yun, very open siya na, ‘Ate, sige sabihan mo lang ako.’ Parang masarap ‘yung relationship namin sa isa’t isa as a team talaga ngayong sobrang nag-improve in terms of mindset,” said the University of Santo Tomas product.

“Siyempre, I think basta fifth set, ilalaban ko hanggang dulo. Kung anuman ang nararamdaman ko, hindi ko sasayangin ‘yung trust na ibibigay sa akin ng mga coaches ko, lalo kay Coach Dante [Alinsunurin].”

Encarnacion admitted she turned emotional after she had known that she was Player of the Game.

“Nung nalaman ko po na Player of the Game ako, naiyak ko kasi I think this is my first POG sa buong PVL career ko and parang napakatamis lang niya na panalo, knowing na it’s our sister team and knowing that it’s a champion team,” said Encarnacion.

“So, napakasarap lang din na nakita namin yung teamwork sa isa’t isa and nagpapasalamat din ako kay Lord for the blessing kasi hindi ko din nakalain na mag-POG ako.”