Jorge De Brito explains Shevana Laput’s absence from Alas Pilipinas training

Alas Pilipinas head coach Jorge De Brito provided an update on the availability of DLSU star Shevana Laput, who has yet to participate in the national team’s training sessions.

Laput, who is part of the 33-player Alas wishlist, initially attended practices during the first week of training camp for the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup.

But the DLSU star has since taken time off to rest following a grueling UAAP season, where the Lady Spikers finished second behind the NU Lady Bulldogs.

“She was present in training during the very first week,” De Brito told One Sports. “She went there to join us, spent two or three days watching practice and talking with us. Then she went back, because she needed a break also.”

“She played the whole UAAP, so she needs a break,” he added.

Laput is coming off a stellar Season 87 campaign, where she took home the Best Opposite Hitter award, as well as the first-ever Defensive Player of the Finals plum.

Fans have been clamoring to see the 6-foot-2 spiker on the national team, especially with the Alas Women lacking pure opposite hitters, aside from Alyssa Solomon, during their AVC Nations Cup campaign.

De Brito mentioned that Laput traveled to Australia during her time off but has since returned to Manila.

Still, Laput joining the team is rather unlikely before the upcoming 2025 VTC Cup from June 28 to July 5.

“She’s not with us yet,” said De Brito. “She has school duties to fulfill, and as far as I know, she’s also recovering from some minor injuries. We just have to wait for her to be ready.”

While Laput’s full return remains uncertain, Alas Women remain open to her reintegration once she is ready, healthy, and able to commit to the team’s preparations.

Should Laput decide to join Alas, she will see herself playing and training with several of her former and current DLSU teammates, such as Angel Canino, Amie Provido, Alleiah Malaluan, Thea Gagate, Leila Cruz, and Fifi Sharma.