Shevana Laput. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo praised the development of Shevana Laput, who dropped a career-high 16 points in their rivalry battle against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.
The 6-foot-2 opposite spiker brought out her A-game in La Salle’s 25-22, 25-19, 25-18 victory over also-ran Ateneo to clinch the top seed in front of 5,000 fans on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’m so proud of this kid. She is very teachable. Whatever you tell and teach her, she will follow. She started from zero but she is always ready to do her job without complaining,” said Orcullo in Filipino, speaking for head coach Ramil De Jesus.
“She played really well [in our rivalry match] against Ateneo. We’re really proud of her,” she added.
Laput, who started in her first Ateneo-La Salle game, rose to the occasion, hitting 15 of her 25 attempts and drilling an ace for her best game of the season so far.
“Points-wise, I had no idea that I actually did that many but I’m proud of myself,” she said. “The victory was amazing, you know. Like 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.”
La Salle’s Shevana Laput during a second round game against Ateneo in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament. UAAP PHOTO
Laput, who had a career game in front of her family, had her high-five moment with coach De Jesus after nailing a running attack from the back row before the first technical timeout of the third set.
“It’s just funny. That’s all I can say. It’s funny because it was unexpected but not only for the other team but also for myself and coach,” she said.
Super rookie Angel Canino also lauded the Filipino-Aussie spiker, who has been showing great progress in her first season.
“I’m very proud of what Shevana has been achieving. To think that she is only training for how many months, she is really dedicated to pushing herself to her maximum potential even she doesn’t have full experience in volleyball,” said Canino after scoring 13 points. “I’m very proud because she is also humble and you can rely on her.”
Laput was glad to prove that La Salle can also rely on her before heading to the Final Four, where the Lady Spikers are armed with a twice-to-beat advantage against the No.4 seed.
La Salle ends its elimination round campaign against University of the East on Saturday next week at FilOil EcoOil Centre.