La Salle super rookie Shevana Laput gets UAAP Player of the Week nod

Despite being a rookie, Shevana Laput continued to shine on the big stage for De La Salle University.

The first year opposite hitter displayed her dominance as the Lady Spikers eked out a 25-17, 25-27, 23-25, 25-23, 15-9 win last Wednesday against Adamson University, producing six points to help La Salle secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

She then posted a career-high 16 points on 15-of-25 attacks and one service ace in the Lady Spikers' 25-22, 25-19, 25-18 win over their Ateneo de Manila University to clinch the top-seed in the Final Four on Sunday.

Her efforts were more than enough to gain Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week citation for April 19-23 week presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission.

“Points-wise, I had no idea that I actually did that many but I’m proud of myself,” the Filipino-Australian spiker 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 assistant coach Noel Orcullo was proud of Laput’s development.

"Sobrang proud ako sa batang ito. Napaka-teachable niyang bata. 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." said Orcullo, speaking for head coach Ramil de Jesus.

("Very proud of this kid. She's a very teachable kid. She will do whatever you ask of her because she started from zero, anything basic that you tell her, she will do without complaint.")

"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.

("Whatever you teach her, she will do. It makes you very proud. Now, she played really well, and especially it as against Ateneo, so it makes us even prouder.")

The 6-foot-2 hitter bested fellow La Salle candidates in Angel Canino and Thea Gagate, Bella Belen of National University, UST's Eya Laure and Adamson’s Lucille Almonte for the weekly honors being 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 round drive on a high note as they face University of the East Lady Warriors on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News