The DLSU Lady Spikers are off to the races in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball, taking down the FEU Lady Tamaraws and the UST Golden Tigresses in straight sets.
La Salle means business in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball, and it shows with its 2-0 start.
The Lady Spikers crushed University of Santo Tomas, 25-14, 25-15, 26-24, Sunday, Feb. 22, just eight days after also pummeling Far Eastern U in straight sets.
After the match against the Tigresses, DLSU skipper Shevana Laput said that it has all been about the mindset for the team.
“Definitely, us as seniors, having the heartbreak we’ve had for the past two seasons, we definitely want to come into this season and make bawi and finally capture what we believe is truly ours,” Laput said.
“At the end of the day, again, it’s very much a mind game. All of the teams here in UAAP are skilled, but it’s who wants it more, who wants to win more.
Laput backed her words with action, finishing with 22 points, including the three-point finisher that shut down the Golden Tigresses' comeback attempt in the third stanza.
Shevana Laput is a steady force for La Salle in its match against UST. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
UST held its second set point, 24-23, when Laput scored on back-to-back blocks before finishing it off with a drop ball, completing La Salle’s sweep.
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We not me
While she’s grown to be the Lady Spikers' go-to hitter alongside Angel Canino, the Fil-Australian had no qualms in sharing the credit.
“We wanted to win this game. Of course, we want to win all our games in three sets, and we knew that we had the capability to finish that set, 25 points, but we extended it and we just had to really show the La Sallian puso right then and there,” said Laput, who punched in 17 attacks, four blocks and an ace.
“This is very much a team effort right now, even though I got 22 points. It’s everyone; we got 22 points together. We got it as a team. Whatever that score was on that board, we did it together as a team because we wanted to win. We wanted to beat UST.
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The Lady Spikers dazzled in the rivalry match that left the Golden Tigresses a step slow.
After producing just three points in the first set, Laput turned it up a notch and poured nine and 10 in the second and third frames, respectively.
Canino came through with 13 points, while Amie Provido and Shane Reterta contributed seven points each.
Angel Canino and Amie Provido provide support for Shevana Laput. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Only Angge Poyos shone for the Golden Tigresses with her 16-point performance.
Regine Jurado was the second-leading scorer for UST with seven markers.
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With their eyes set on their goal, the Lady Spikers are only looking within themselves. Laput said that they were able to play their best because they measured themselves against their own capabilities.
“Of course, a strong team like UST pushes us to be our best. But at the end of the day, we are our worst opponent. We are our best opponent, actually," said Laput.
"We play better because we want to play better. No matter what team we play against, we will play our best.”
Shevana Laput towers at the net with four blocks for La Salle. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
La Salle currently shares the second spot with University of the Philippines with their identical 2-0 slates.
The two teams put that on the line when they face off Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao as they aim to chase defending champion and early leader National U (3-0).
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.