After helping La Salle grab crucial wins in the past week, Shevana Laput and Vince Maglinao were hailed with their first UAAP Player of the Week citations.
Shevana Laput and Vince Maglinao stepped up their games as De La Salle University clinched significant victories in the crucial stages of the UAAP Season 86 women’s and men’s volleyball competitions.
The two ace spikers shone brightly, aiding the Taft-based squads in securing two wins during a pivotal period leading into the final week of the fiercely-contested tournament, which carried significant playoff implications.
Their exceptional performances earned Laput and Maglinao the Collegiate Press Corps’ UAAP Players of the Week award presented by San Miguel Corporation from April 17 to 21.
These recognitions arrived at a critical juncture, bolstering their teams' pursuit of coveted twice-to-beat advantages in the impending Final Four.
Laput, in particular, showcased her prowess with a standout performance last April 17, amassing 24 points, including 22 attacks and two blocks, in the Lady Spikers’ victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons, 17-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-22.
The 6-foot-2 opposite hitter continued her impressive form in La Salle’s dominant triumph over their arch-rivals in the Ateneo Blue Eagles, contributing 15 points from 12 attacks and three blocks, sealing a 25-12, 25-12, 25-18 win.
Since Angel Canino's right arm injury, Laput has admirably filled the gap for the Lady Spikers, averaging 20.4 points per game and aiding La Salle in attaining an 11-2 record for the season, tied with NU and UST for the no. 1 seed in the intense race for the top-2 slots and win-once bonuses in the Final Four.
Despite her stellar 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.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Shevana Laput admits being ‘a work in progress’ even after stellar performances for La Salle]
Laput was also quick to acknowledge her teammates' contributions in La Salle's undefeated streak during 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 outshined FEU’s Faida Bakanke, NU’s Bella Belen, and UST’s Angge Poyos to clinch the weekly honor, backed by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.
Meanwhile, Maglinao delivered stellar all-around performances, aiding the Green Spikers in securing a Final Four berth and staying in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage.
In their straight-set triumph over the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 26-24, 25-17, 25-23, Maglinao amassed a commendable 11 points alongside eight excellent receptions.
Continuing his strong form, La Salle’s outside hitter contributed 19 points, accompanied by nine excellent digs and seven excellent receptions, in the team’s hard-fought victory against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with a score of 25-21, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19.
This win also eliminated their long-standing rivals from contention for the Final Four.
Currently holding a 10-3 record, DLSU is tied with the NU Bulldogs with just one game remaining in the elimination round. The two teams are vying for the second seed and the last twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: UST secures last Final Four slot thanks to win and La Salle's four-set victory over Ateneo]
As the Final Four approaches, Maglinao remains optimistic that the Green Spikers can maintain their hunger and determination in their upcoming matches.
“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 secured all the media votes, surpassing teammate Nathaniel Del Pillar, FEU’s Andrei Delicana, UST’s Josh Ybañez, and NU’s Leo Aringo to clinch his first Player of the Week award.