Shevana Laput emerged as a towering force in the collegiate game after winning the inaugural Most Valuable Player of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.
With grace and dominance, this 6-foot-2 spiker, an upcoming sophomore for Taft and a shining gem from the UAAP champion De La Salle University, orchestrated a remarkable showcase of skills that left spectators awe-struck and opponents in her wake.
The grandeur of her triumph unfolded at the grand stage of the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
In a resplendent finale series, La Salle’s champions squared off against Adamson University, culminating in a 2-1 victory that marked the birth of the SSL national champions. Laput, radiant and unstoppable, delivered a performance that not only sealed the victory but also solidified her as a rising star in the volleyball galaxy.
Her meteoric rise wasn’t solely attributed to her individual brilliance, as Laput herself humbly acknowledged.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
With gratitude, she shared, “I feel honored but it was all because of my teammates. My teammates gave me that trust, they gave me that boost to hit and they gave the support. I could swing knowing that they’re there covering (for) me.”
Filling the void left by departed stars such as setter Mars Alba, middle blocker Fifi Sharma, and team captain and outside spiker Jolina Dela Cruz, Laput embraced the challenge.
The SSL season saw the absence of talents like UAAP Rookie-MVP Angel Canino and ace libero Justine Jazareno, but Laput steered La Salle through stormy waters and brought home yet another crown, honoring their sponsors like Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Summit Bottled Water, Genius Sports, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea.
Laput’s star began its ascent in the previous summer during UAAP Season 85. A rookie at the time, she offered glimpses of her immense potential. However, it was in the SSL that her prowess truly ignited. The tournament, which featured champions from various leagues, was the proving ground where Laput showcased her indomitable spirit and prowess on the court.
The stats don’t lie; Laput’s performance was nothing short of awe-inspiring. Garnering the title of Best Opposite Spiker, she dazzled with 20.3 points in the finals, punctuated by an astonishing tournament-high of 30 points in Game 1.
Her brilliance persisted in Game 2, registering 18 points, and she concluded the triumphant series with 13 points, showcasing 11 hits and two blocks in the winner-take-all Game 3.
Yet, even in the glow of her victory, Laput remains grounded and hungers for growth. As she turns her sights towards UAAP Season 86, she carries not just a crown, but also the weight of expectations as the SSL MVP.
Reflecting on her achievement, Laput expressed, “I mean it’s really great. It’s amazing. It’s an honor, like I said. But I guess this makes me feel like I need to step up even more. I need to work even harder, you know, now that there’s a ‘reputation’ kind of thing.”
