Angel Canino has been De La Salle University’s leading scorer in 11 out of their 13 games so far in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
In one game, Thea Gagate got that honor, and in the other game that did not have Canino as the highest pointer? It was rookie Shevana Laput, who is starting to print her name in the volleyball scene.
And the 6-foot-2 opposite spiker did it against the Lady Spikers’ archrival Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Laput unleashed a career-high 16 points on a hyper-efficient 15-of-25 attack rate to go with one service ace as La Salle swept the Blue Eagles, 25-22, 25-19, 25-18.
“I’m very proud sa kung anong naachieve ni Shevana sa ilang months pa lang na training and sa dedication niyang mapush yung sarili niya to her highest na maglaro kahit wala siyang full experience sa volleyball, nailabas niya yung potential niya,” shared Canino on Laput’s rise.
“Lumalabas lang talaga yung pagiging athlete niya. I’m just proud of her.”
Prior to joining the Lady Spikers, Laput was a track and field and long jump athlete in Australia.
Getting her first player of the game honors, Laput is just happy to see her consistent improvement for La Salle.
“Points-wise I had no idea that I actually did that many but I’m proud of myself,” said the giggly Laput.
Assistant coach Noel Orcullo also heaped praises on the surprise contributor of the Lady Spikers who made the First Six for the third straight game.
Laput made nine points in her first game in the starting lineup over University of the Philippines before contributing six points against Adamson University.
“Napakateachable niyang bata kahit ano yung sabihin mo sa kanya gagawin kasi nga she started from zero. Kahit ano yung sabihin na basic na gagawin niya, talagang gagawin, walang reklamo kung ano yung ituro mo sa kanya,” said Orcullo.
“Sobrang nakakaproud and ngayong ang ganda pa ng nilaro dito pa sa Ateneo nangyari so mas proud kami talaga.”
