Rookie opposite hitter Shevana Laput has proven that she has what it takes to provide additional firepower for De La Salle University, showing her brilliance as a starter in their past three games in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Filipino-Australian spiker, who is stepping up for the injured Leila Cruz, displayed her flair for the Lady Spikers against the gritty Adamson University Lady Falcons, winning 25-17, 25-27, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9, last Wednesday, and producing six points to help La Salle secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final 4.
Laput then rose to the occasion in their rivalry game against Ateneo, posting a career-high of 16 points with 15-of-25 attacks and one service ace in the Lady Spikers’ 25-22, 25-19, 25-18 win over their Blue Eagles, clinching the top-seed in the Final Four on Sunday.
“Points-wise, I had no idea that I actually did that many, but I’m proud of myself,” Laput said. “The victory was amazing, you know. Like the coach said, we have to fight harder because we started slow, and again it’s against a rival school. It just feels great to be victorious.”
For her efforts, Laput earned the accolade of Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week for the April 19-23 week, presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission.
La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo was proud of Laput’s development.
“Sobrang proud ako sa batang ito. Napaka-teachable niyang bata,” said Orcullo, speaking for head coach Ramil de Jesus. “Kahit ano iyong sabihin mo sa kanya, gagawin kasi nga she started (from) zero, kahit ano iyong sabihin mo na basic na gagawin niya, talagang gagawin, walang reklamo.
“Kung ano iyong ituro mo sa kanya, talagang gagawin niya. Sobrang nakaka-proud. Ngayon, ang ganda pa ng nilalaro, sabi mo nga dito pa sa Ateneo nangyari so mas proud kami talaga,” he added.
The 6-foot-2 hitter beat fellow La Salle candidates Angel Canino and Thea Gagate, Bella Belen of National University, UST’s Eya Laure, and Adamson’s Lucille Almonte for the weekly citation handed out by the members of the media covering the beat.
Laput is the third Lady Spiker to be voted with the weekly citation, with MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors, which was earlier earned by Canino and skipper Jolina Dela Cruz.
La Salle, currently holding a record of 12-1, looks to finish their elimination drive on a high note as they face the University of the East Lady Warriors on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.
