DLSU’s Shevana Laput, FEU’s Dryx Saavedra named UAAP Players of the Week

Heartbreak has been the biggest motivator for Shevana Laput and Dryx Saavedra, rallying the DLSU Lady Spikers and the FEU Tamaraws, respectively, to unbeaten streaks to start UAAP Season 88 volleyball.

Emerging as top contributors in their teams’ stellar starts, Laput and Saavedra were selected as the Collegiate Press Corps Players of the Week presented by the Philippine Sports Commission for the period covering February 14 to February 22.

Laput, for her part, has been the driving force in La Salle’s dazzling 2-0 start where the Lady Spikers have yet to drop a set against fellow Final Four teams from last year.

In their opening game on February 14 against the FEU Lady Tamaraws, the La Salle skipper ushered in her season with 23 points and five excellent digs in a 25-19, 25-14, 27-25 victory.

She then followed it up with another high-scoring output of 22 points and three excellent digs in another sweep, this time around long-time rivals UST, 25-14, 25-15, 26-24.

Laput credited La Salle’s renewed vigor to Season 88 to the team's Final loss last season.

“Definitely, as seniors, having that heartbreak that we’ve had in the past two seasons, we definitely want to come into this season and make bawi and finally capture what we believe is truly ours,” said Laput. 

“And 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.”

[RELATED: Shevana Laput, La Salle fueled by past heartbreaks in 2-0 start to UAAP Season 88]

Laput edged out teammate Angel Canino, NU’s ace rookie Sam Cantada, veterans Arah Panique and Vange Alinsug, and UP’s Niña Ytang in the weekly citation decided on by scribes from print and online covering the league.

Laput and the Lady Spikers face a quick turnaround as they face fellow undefeated UP on Wednesday, February 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Then in men’s play, Saavedra’s unequivocal leadership of the Tamaraws showed in his scoring as he paced the Morayta-based squad in a 3-0 week to set the tone for FEU’s redemption season.

Saavedra opened his season with 16 points against La Salle, before following it up with 11 and 15 markers against UE and NU, respectively.

FEU’s win over NU signaled a measure of revenge for last year’s runners-up.

As they seek consistency, Saavedra showed composure and performed to the best of his abilities in FEU’s first three outings of the year.

“Lagi naman naming pinag-uusapan sa team na kahit anong situation sa court, kailangan pilitin namin na du’n kami sa pinaka-kalma kami,” said Saavedra.

“Big factor kasi talaga ‘yung kalmado lang kami, lalo na kapag crucial. Hindi naman pwede na sa crucial, mara-rattle pa kami.”

[RELATED: UAAP: Vengeful FEU sends early statement, downs champ NU to claim solo top spot]

Saavedra bested FEU teammate Lirick Mendoza, NU’s Leo Ordiales, UST’s Josh Ybañez, and UE’s Raquim Aceron for the award.

Saavedra and the Tams will return to action on Sunday, March 1, against the Adamson Soaring Falcons also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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Luisa Morales is a sports writer 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.