SHEVANA Laput called out La Salle’s irate fans online following their close five-set loss to last year’s Final Four tormentor University of Santo Tomas.
“I just want to strongly encourage everyone on the internet, please, to be kinder and to understand that we all are human,” Laput said.
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Drawing the attention of fans online was a post-game scene wherein Lady Spikers team captain Angel Canino supposedly gave a ‘death stare’ at rookie libero Pia Rodriguez after she committed a double contact violation that gave the win to the Golden Tigresses.
Regardless of the outcome that saw La Salle blow a two sets to one lead, Laput rued the reckless behavior of fans online for pointing fingers at her teammates — citing that they’re ‘only human’ and can be vulnerable and emotional through the highs and lows of the game.
“We're allowed to feel upset because I heard what everyone was saying about Angel (Canino). I do believe that's very unfair to say that about her because she's allowed to have that moment of frustration,” she said.
After that moment involving Canino, Laput was seen huddling the Lady Spikers together on the taraflex to console and lift them up after the loss.
She’d go on to explain how Canino took over that huddle and didn’t act with arrogance unlike what she’s been painted to have been online.
“I just wanted to be there for my team because I could tell they were all very upset. Understandably, that was a win that, for us, we believe that we should have won.
“But I could tell they were so hurt, and I feel like they didn't recognize the efforts they had put in. That's why I was like, ‘Guys, up, up.’”
Going into detail on what wasn’t shown on TV, Laput added: “What the camera didn't get was that after that, she also huddled the team. It just so happened on TV, they saw me.”
La Salle listens and moves on
Part of La Salle’ ‘moving on’ process from such a heavy loss is taking in the necessary constructive criticism to grow and move forward.
Coming off their worst start in two decades at 1-2, only the Lady Spikers themselves can figure things out to turn their rough start around.
“It’s easy to just say, we don't listen, we don't care. But at the end of the day, we do care."
“But it's about surrounding yourself with that closed space that, those connections who will tell you they're wrong, who will be there for you.
“That's what our team is like, our team, we're very much there for one another. We understand one another and we know that we're allowed to feel these ways.”
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