Team captain Shevana Laput couldn’t hide her pride as she returned to the court for De La Salle University, seeing her teammates step up in her absence and keep the Lady Spikers’ unbeaten streak alive in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Laput, who averaged 22.5 points in La Salle’s first two games, missed the next two outings against the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University due to an illness.
But even without their star opposite hitter, the Ramil de Jesus-mentored squad hardly missed a beat. Rookie hitters Mikee Santos and Althea Cabradilla, alongside the leadership of co-captain Angel Canino, rose to the occasion.
“I am so proud of you, Angel. You’re not co-captain for no reason. We’re doing this together. And of course, I am very proud of the whole team. Honestly, I don’t think they were looking for me. I am just so happy that they rose to the occasion and the opportunity they were given because that adds to their confidence,” said the Fil-Australian opposite hitter.
Laput added with a laugh, “Yes, I am back, but at the same time, that confidence they have won’t leave them now. I am just so proud of them all, and I think they all know from the very long messages I have sent them — which I probably don’t think they read.”
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Back in the fold, Laput contributed nine points and four excellent digs as La Salle extended its unbeaten start to 5-0 with a 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 sweep of the winless University of the East at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Even so, the 21-year-old opposite spiker emphasized a cautious approach in regaining her full form while guiding the Lady Spikers toward a first-round sweep.
“I want to get back to my original play, but one game at a time, slowly but surely,” Laput said.
“In terms of the team, mistakes happen, but it’s when you’re afraid to make mistakes — that’s when you put pressure on yourself and begin to make more errors.”
With La Salle comfortably atop the eight-team field as the lone unbeaten squad, Laput believes the Lady Spikers are on the “right track” toward unleashing their true potential.
Next up, the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University awaits this Wednesday, followed by a highly anticipated rematch against defending champion National University, the reigning Season 87 champions, next weekend.
“I don’t believe our team is peaking yet. I believe we’re on the right track. We are doing the right things in practice. Obstacles and challenges will come, but that’s where we have to bounce back, persevere, and continue,” Laput said.
“Round 1 isn’t over yet, and I believe we have not shown our true potential. I’d say we are 60-percent of the way there, and that’s a great position to be in right now.”
#WATCH: PROUD OF THE ENTIRE TEAM 🏹
Shev Laput could not hide her pride as the DLSU Lady Spikers stepped up in her absence 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/YIMn4K57s5
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times #UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/uaysgUQJxy
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 7, 2026
