UAAP: Laput, Maglinao help La Salle teams claim crucial wins

La Salle Lady Spikers’ Shevana Laput.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Shevana Laput and Vince Maglinao delivered the goods as De La Salle University posted big-time wins in the homestretch of the UAAP Season 86 women’s and men’s volleyball tournaments.

The two ace spikers clicked from all cylinders to help the La Salle squads go 2-0 in the crucial period entering the final week of the wild tourney with major playoff implications on the line.

Their heroics proved more than enough as Laput and Maglinao earned the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week from April 17 to 21.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

It’s the first weekly citation by the La Salle stars and it could not have come at a better time to shore up their drives for similar twice-to-beat bids in the Final Four.

The sophomore Laput had a season-high performance on April 17 after finishing with 24 points built on 22 attacks and two blocks in the Lady Spikers’ win over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 17-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-22.

The 6-foot-2 opposite hitter continued her brilliant showing in La Salle’s rout of their arch-rivals, the Ateneo Blue Eagles, delivering 15 points on 12 attacks and three blocks for a 25-12, 25-12, 25-18 victory.

READ: UAAP: Laput, Coronel leading La Salle charge amid tough times

Laput has been filling in admirably for the Lady Spikers ever since Angel Canino suffered a right arm injury, averaging 20.4 points per game and helping La Salle reach an 11-2 record in the season, tied with NU and UST for the No. 1 seed in a wild race for the Top 2 and win-once bonuses in the Final Four.

But even with her solid performances, Laput knows that there’s still plenty of room for improvement in her game.

“You know, I’m just glad that there’s progress. I always think to myself that I’m a work in progress, so this isn’t my best and I know I can do so much more but I’m glad that right now I’m contributing to the team,” said Laput.

Laput also made sure to give credit for her teammates’ work to help La Salle go undefeated in the crucial week.

“I’m also proud of my teammates because from the stats here, we can see that everyone did something, so I’m just glad that we’re working together as a team,” said Laput. “I’m very excited to show everybody we’re the Lady Spikers and this is how we play.”

Laput bested FEU’s Faida Bakanke, NU’s Bella Belen, and UST’s Angge Poyos for the weekly honor.

La Salle Green Spikers’ Vince Maglinao.–UAAP PHOTO

Meanwhile, Maglinao delivered all-around performances to help the Green Spikers secure a Final Four slot and remain in the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage.

In their straight-set victory over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 26-24, 25-17, 25-23, Maglinao finished with a solid 11 points to go along with eight excellent receptions.

La Salle’s outside hitter then had 19 points along with nine excellent digs and seven excellent receptions in the team’s 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, over the Ateneo Blue Eagles, which eliminated their long-time rivals from Final Four contention in the process.

Sitting with a 10-3 record, DLSU is tied with the NU Bulldogs with just one game left in the elimination round for the second seed and the last twice-to-beat semis.

As the Final Four looms, Maglinao is hoping that the Green Spikers can continue showing their hunger and desire during the games.

“Siguro nandun pa rin kami sa paghahanap namin ng improvement every after ng game namin kasi hindi kami puwede na makontento kung ano ‘yung meron kami. We have to keep on improving para sa next round,” said Maglinao.

Maglinao earned all the media votes, besting teammate Nathaniel Del Pillar, FEU’s Andrei Delicana, UST’s Josh Ybañez, and NU’s Leo Aringo for his first Player of the Week award.