La Salle Lady Spikers’ Shevana Laput during a UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball game against NU Lady Bulldogs. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Shevana Laput received praise from MVP frontrunner Bella Belen and fellow opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon after emerging as La Salle’s top statistical leader in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
Laput, who finished second in the MVP race after Round 1, unleashed 19 points from 16 kills, two blocks, and an ace in La Salle’s loss to an unbeaten NU side 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-18, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament second round
Belen, the two-time league MVP, had nothing but good things to say her closest contender after winning their Round 2 duel, where she delivered 23 points off 17 kills, four blocks, and two aces to go with 17 excellent receptions for the Lady Bulldogs.
“Shevana has improved a lot compared to last season, and she’s definitely going to be a challenge for any team because of her size. We really had a hard time defending against her since we’re not as big as her,” said Belen.
NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen and La Salle Lady Spikers’ Shevana Laput look on during a play in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
“It’s a healthy competition, though, and teamwork is really what’s needed in volleyball. I’m very thankful because my teammates support each other, and that’s why we’ve been winning every game.”
Belen, the MVP frontrunner with 159.600 Statistical Points in the first round, led Laput, who had 157.692 statistical points.
READ: UAAP: Bella Belen downplays MVP talks, locks in on NU repeat bid
The Lady Spikers had a lengthy talk in the locker room after they got swept by the Lady Bulldogs in the elimination round and saw their four-game winning streak snapped. They slid ta 5-3, tied with Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas.
Solomon, second Best Opposite Spiker to Laput after the first round, believes that they have been bringing out the best in each other every time they collide.
“It feels like a healthy competition. It’s either you let her skills intimidate you or you stay true to what you have. I’m really happy for Shevana, even though we don’t see each other in training, I can see the results of her hard work,” said Solomon in Filipino after dropping 19 points for NU.
The third-year Lady Spiker led the Best Opposite Spiker race with 274 points, ahead of Solomon, who had 214 points.
Laput and La Salle seek to bounce back against UST on Saturday next week at Smart Araneta Coliseum.