DLSU captain Shevana Laput wasn't paying any mind to her new career-best numbers. Rather, she focused on the win against the Adamson Lady Falcons in UAAP Season 88.
DLSU Lady Spikers captain Shevana Laput had no concern about her individual statistics, even as she set a new career-high in scoring with 26 points during La Salle's five set win over the Adamson Lady Falcons on Wednesday, March 11.
Leading La Salle to their sixth win of the tournament Laput flexed a fit-again form in her second game back from illness.
For Laput, she and the rest of the team were moving as one cohesive unit, and despite being touted as one of the front runners for MVP midway through the season, she's more than content to share the credit.
"Personally, in terms of my career high, I didn't even realize it." Laput admitted after the match.
"You don't feel it on the court because as an ate, as captains in this team, our goal is to help our team. That's the only thing we care about. How much, how we can help the team, how reliable we can be."
Heading into the match against Adamson, La Salle looked almost invincible -- having dropped only one set in their first five games of the season.
While the goal of redemption is still a ways away, Laput said that they'll be able to reach the summit if she, alongside batchmate Angel Canino, just do their responsibility as leaders of the team.
[RELATED: Angel Canino admits DLSU distracted by UAAP win streak in slow start vs Adamson]
"The points will come, the blocks will come, all of that will come. But as long as we do our job, which is to be there, be an ate, be a senior, be a leader for them, that's all that we care about," said Laput.
A united front
Apart from playing the best scoring game of her career, the whole of La Salle has also been performing better than in recent years.
With their best start since their title run in UAAP Season 85, the Lady Spikers are banking on their teamwork to make their UAAP dream work.
"In comparison to seasons before, I suppose in a way, we can say, as seniors, we really can lead the team how we want to lead them. The vision that we have is so... buo. The vision that we have is the same amongst all of us seniors... that helps our mission to get that vision," said Laput.
"But yes, the difference, I believe, is we all have the same goal. All of us seniors are working and are making sure that every single girl in this team works towards the same goal." she continued.
The work also extends to younger players, with the whole starting six also flexing their form.
Against Adamson, the five scoring players scored at least eight points, with three players breaching double-digit scoring.
But with the rest of the season still ahead, La Salle will do well to keep their feet on the ground.
La Salle is headed for a rematch with two-time defending champions NU to close out their first round campaign this weekend.
The Lady Spikers are one win away from a first round sweep.
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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.