La Salle’s Shevana Laput. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Rookie Shevana Laput was thrilled that she was able to show her development under La Salle, making the most of her first start in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
The 6-foot-1 Laput shone in her first start with nine points to help La Salle regain its winning ways with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-16 rout of skidding University of the Philippines on Sunday at Philsports Arena.
“It feels great. It just shows that I developed and improved as a player and the coaches trust my abilities to have me play in the first six. It’s great and it’s an honor,” said Laput, who started in place of Baby Jyne Soreno.
Laput was inspired by her family including her brother and Magnolia Hotshots big man James, who watched and supported her.
“It’s a great feeling that my family is supporting me. My mom and my little sister actually surprised me this week. They came on Thursday. It’s their first time watching a live game,” said Laput. “I’m definitely nervous having them there supporting me, it feels like I need to perform (well). It’s a great feeling to know that your family is there supporting you.”
Laput said his brother, who also played for the La Salle Green Archers in the UAAP in 2019, has been giving her advice since she entered the court against the Fighting Maroons in their first-round meeting when she scored the last three points of the game.
“I think when I did my first game which is actually against UP, he was just saying that ‘you did great, but there’s always room for improvement, so always keep that mentality in mind, one game at a time, always find something to improve on,’” she said.
La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo knew that Laput would deliver for the Lady Spikers after a fruitful break.
“Actually, we expected her to perform [well] since after Holy Week, we focused on her. We expected her to deliver,” said Orcullo in Filipino. “We have to build her confidence since the second round is almost over. So just in case, we play in the semifinals or reach the finals, she will be confident and anytime she will be called, she is ready to deliver.”
La Salle clinched its 13th straight Final Four appearance after improving its record to 10-1 and bouncing back from its first loss at the hands of University of Santo Tomas two weeks ago.
The Lady Spikers battle No.2 Adamson Lady Falcons (8-3) on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.