UAAP: Lasallian ‘puso’ blazes trail as Shevana Laput, Lady Spikers sweep UST

With a fourth set looming after a lively 2-0 set start, De La Salle University found themselves on the back foot towards the conclusion of the third frame, 22-24.

Refusing to let their strong initial efforts go to waste, the Lady Spikers caught lightning in a bottle in the form of their team captain Shevana Laput. 

The opposite hitter went on to score three straight points to turn the tide in favor of the Taft-based squad in the final set–shutting the door on University of Santo Tomas, 26-24.

Laput eventually concluded the night with a game-high 21 points on 17 attacks and four blocks, reaffirming her status as one of the tournament’s top gunners.

However, instead of basking in praise for her heroics, the Lady Spikers team captain was quick to credit her teammates and the rest of the Lasallian faithful for the impressive victory against UST.

“We just had to really show the Lasallian “puso” (heart) right there and then. This was very much a team effort. Even though I got 22 points, everyone got 22 points together. We got it as a team,” said Laput.

“Whatever that score was on that board, we did it together as a team. We wanted to win, we wanted to beat UST,” she added.

Additionally, to Laput, the game was an opportunity to right the wrongs of seasons past while also working towards possible future opportunities.

“As seniors, having the heartbreak that we’ve had the past two seasons, we definitely want to come into this season and make bawi (make up), and finally capture what we believe is ours,” voiced Laput.

“Of course a strong team like UST pushes us to be at our best. But at the end of the day, we are our best opponent. We play better because we want to play better. No matter what team we play against, we will play our best.”

La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo is nothing short but proud of Laput’s rapid growth with the DLSU program.

“In-embrace niya lang yung task na binigay sa kanya na maging captain. Noong una, nag-struggle siya, noong in-announce ni coach na siya yung team captain…sinabi [lang] namin sa kanya, Shevana 'yang nasa dibdib mo, 'guhit lang 'yan (the underline in a captain's jersey number). Hindi mo kailangan buhatin ang buong team. Marami kang katulong,” said Orcullo.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News