Shevana Laput was a woman on a mission as De La Salle University bucked a third frame setback with a gutsy fourth to down rival Ateneo de Manila University, 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19 and take its third straight win in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Laput exploded for a UAAP career-high 25 points on 19 spikes, three blocks, and three aces, leading the Lady Spikers to a 4-2 record, joining the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at third to fourth.
This victory also marked La Salle’s continued dominance against Ateneo, securing its 15th straight win against its archrivals dating back to the Season 79 Finals (2017).
“Niremind ko lang sila na kailangan sa ganong klaseng situation, nangingibabaw ‘yung tibay ng dibdib kasi nung third set, nagkaroon ng errors and may sumunod, merong hindi nakacontrol sa sarili and then ayun na,” said Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus.
Dominating the first and second sets, La Salle was stunned by Ateneo in the third as Lyann de Guzman, AC Miner, and Yvana Sulit linked up to extend the match, 25-20.
The Blue Eagles carried that momentum to the early stages of the fourth, even taking an 8-4 lead but Laput just erupted, powering the Lady Spikers’ fightback en route to the four-set triumph after two hours and 14 minutes.
“Sa fourth set, niremind ko lang na kailangan maniwala kayo sa kaya niyong gawin,” added de Jesus.
Angel Canino chimed in 17 points on 13 attacks and four blocks she complemented with eight digs.
Alleiah Malaluan also made her presence felt with 12 points as rookie Mikole Reyes steered the Lady Spikers’ offense with 20 excellent sets.
La Salle aims for four in a row on Saturday when it clashes with FEU at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.