In De La Salle University’s first 10 games, Shevana Laput has only played in four of those under very limited minutes.
But on Sunday, she was unleashed.
The 6-foot-1 opposite spiker was inserted into the Lady Spikers starting lineup in their bid to return to the winning column against University of the Philippines.
And it worked as Laput delivered nine points as La Salle rolled past the Fighting Maroons in straight sets, 25-15, 25-16, 25-16, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
For Laput, her performance is a testament to how she has improved throughout the course of the season.
“It feels great. It shows that I’ve developed and improved as a player and the coaches trust my abilities to play in the First Six so great and it’s an honor,” said Laput.
But for Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo, the whole coaching staff had no doubt that Laput will perform best.
This as during their two-week break since their stinging loss against University of Santo Tomas, the coaches made sure to focus on Laput’s development.
Laput needed to be ready especially since Leila Cruz, their starting opposite spiker, suffered a torn ACL that would keep her out of the season. Jyne Soreño was their other player in that position.
“Actually, expected na naman namin eh since after the Holy Week, talagang tinutukan na namin siya so expected naman namin na magdedeliver siya,” said Orcullo.
“Patapos ng second round kailangan ibuild yung confidence niya para in case pagdating ng semifinals o kung makarating ng finals, nandoon na yung confidence niya na anytime na gamitin namin siya, magdedeliver,” he added.
This was some sort of a breakout game since in the first four games she appeared in, Laput has only tallied three points, all against UP in their first round matchup.
Shevana is not the first in her family that represented the green and white as her brother James Laput played for the Green Archers.
She also bared that her inspired performance was also due to her mother and little sister that came to watch her live for the first time.
“My mom and my little sister actually surprised me this week they came on Thursday so it’s their first time watching like live game. Definitely nervous having them there supporting me and it feels like I need to perform but yes just a great feeling to know that your family is there supporting you.”
