Laput shows the way for Lady Spikers

(UPDATE) THE De La Salle Lady Spikers finished the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament in second place with a 5-2 record behind the defending champs and 7-0 NU Lady Bulldogs.

After a season-opening loss and a 1-2 start, the ladies in green and white seemed to have figured things out and behind this ascent is Shevana Laput.

Many consider Laput as the "glue girl" of the Lady Spikers, especially after their shaky start, the unifying force of a once confused and frustrated team.

But Laput's value isn't limited to her leadership as she's been providing the numbers for the Ramil de Jesus-mentored team, and in fact making the top four of separate statistical categories after the first round.

The 6-foot-2 Laput is third in scoring with 122 points which comes with a 37.21-percent success rate in spiking which is also third best.

Explosive in her jump serves, Laput is second in serving with a 0.46 average by set, and her bounce also translates on net defense with 0.54 blocks average by set, fourth best in the league.

If Laput keeps this up and La Salle maintains a winning record, she could make a strong case for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

Canino, Belen, Solomon also swinging

Laput isn't the only player from a winning team who's in the top of multiple statistical categories, her teammate Angel Canino as well as National University's (NU) Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen are, too.

Canino tails Laput in scoring with 118 points, fourth best in the league, and in blocks with a 0.50 average by set, good for fifth place.

The Season 85 Rookie of the Year (ROTY) and MVP has been busy on floor defense, too, with a 34.93 percent efficiency in reception, fourth best in the tournament.

Belen, the ROTY and MVP before Canino, meanwhile, tops the serving department with a 0.68 average by set.

The reigning MVP continues to be a steady force on floor defense as well with a 2.60 average by set in digs, sixth best, and 33.58-percent efficiency in reception, fifth best.

Last but not the least is Solomon, who is sixth in scoring with 116 points that comes with a 35.96-percent success rate in spiking, fourth best in the league.

Using her lengthy arms, Solomon also is second in blocking with a 0.64 average by set.